Effect of trypsin–chymotrypsin (Chymoral Forte D.S.) preparation on the modulation of cytokine levels in burn patients

The present study was carried out in burn patients administered with Trypsin–Chymotrypsin (Chymoral Forte D.S.) preparation to observe if the acute-phase protein levels in the serum are modulated through the synthesis of IL-1β and IL-6 and if the severity of the inflammatory phase could be regulated. The effects of Trypsin–Chymotrypsin preparation on the modulation of cytokine levels particularly, IL-6 and IL-1β were analyzed in serum samples of 15 burn patients and compared with untreated controls. Significant differences in cytokine levels (P<0.05) were observed in untreated burn patients and Trypsin–Chymotrypsin preparation treated patients. There were significant variations in serum IL-6 and IL-1β on the day of admission and post burn day 10 in treated as well as untreated burn patients. Patients with a higher percentage of total body surface area and sepsis showed a significant increase in IL-1β and IL-6 in the serum. An increase in serum levels of both cytokines was observed on post burn day 1 and a significant decrease was observed in Trypsin–Chymotrypsin preparation treated patients on days 7 and 10. The possible role of the inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of burns is discussed.