Local and systemic interactions related to serum transforming growth factor-β levels in burn wounds of various depths

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the interaction between serum levels of TGF-β and active-immune cell infiltration in burn wounds of various depths. Materials and methods Thirty female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: full-thickness burns (F), partial-thickness burns (P), and no burns (S). After burn-induction, blood samples were obtained only once from shams and at postburn 1, 48 h, and 7 days in burn groups. Serum levels of TGF-β were measured by means of the ELISA. The proportions of neutrophils, fibroblasts, vascular proliferation, CD68-macrophages, and CD3-lymphocytes were studied immunohistochemically and graded semiquantitatively. Results Serum TGF-β levels in the F and P groups were lower than those in sham at 1 h after burn (p < .05). No significant differences in TGF-β were observed between groups F and P on days 2 and 7 after injury. No local accumulation of macrophages and fibroblasts was noted in either burn group, but the proportion of lymphocytes was higher in the P group at 1 h after burn. Neutrophils were higher in the F group than the P on day 7 after burn. Conclusions Prolonged neutrophil infiltration in full-thickness burn wounds and suppressed lymphocyte proliferation in partial-thickness burn wounds seem to be related to an increase in serum TGF-β levels.