Saving the zone of stasis in burns with melatonin: an experimental study in rats

BACKGROUND: Studies aimed at recovering the zone of stasis are one of the major issues of experimental burn studies. Many drugs including antithrombotics, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories have been investigated experimentally for saving the zone of stasis. In this study, the effect of the systemic melatonin on the zone of stasis was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. Rats were assigned to two groups (n=10). The metal comb 1x2 cm in size was immersed in boiling water and held for 20 seconds on the back of the rats to create burn wounds. No treatment was given to the control group. Melatonin was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d by intraperitoneal injection in the treatment group for 7 days. Daily digital photographs of both groups were obtained. Total necrotic burn areas and the zone of stasis were assessed with Auto CAD and Visual Analyzing computer programs. At the end of one week, rats were sacrificed and skin biopsies were taken for histological examination. Edema, congestion, inflammatory infiltration, vascular proliferation and fibrosis were the parameters evaluated. Data were evaluated statistically by Chi-square test and Student-t test. RESULTS: When histopatologic data and the measured values for total necrotic areas and zone of stasis of the experimental group werecompared to control group, the results were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, melatonin is efficient in saving the zone of stasis in burns.