Characteristics of plasma extracellular SOD in burned patients

The aim of this study was to examine three types of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma after burns, and especially to clarify the characteristics of plasma extracellular SOD (EC-SOD) in burned patients. A total of 71 blood samples were collected from 18 patients on arrival, day 1, day 3 and day 5 after burns. We measured three types of SOD (Mn, Cu/Zn, EC) in plasma using ELISA, and the relationships among the three types of SOD concentrations were examined. We next analyzed the characteristics of plasma EC-SOD using stepwise multivariate regression analysis. Any plasma SOD isoenzyme concentration measured after burns was beyond the normal range and EC-SOD accounted for the major part of plasma SODs. EC-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD were positively correlated, whereas Mn-SOD was not related to the other SODs. Also, plasma EC-SOD was significantly related to existence of inhalation injury, %TBSA and age, respectively. The plasma EC-SOD might therefore play some roles in the pathophysiology of burned patients.