Effectiveness of the arginine-carnitine drug usage in patients with burn wounds

Materials and methods. 41 patients (18 in main group and 23 in comparison group) were examined. Patients of the main group received combined arginine-carnitine drug in addition to the generally accepted scheme of medical and surgical treatment. All patients underwent a study in the capillary zone of thermal injury and in the peripheral blood for the content of homocystein, endothelin-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The pathomorphological and immunohistochemical study was performed with the determination of vimentin, CD31, VEGF and pancytokeratin. The studies were performed on the 2–3rd day after the injury (baseline), on the 8–10th day (during combined arginine-carnitine drug treatment) and on the 12–14th day (after completion of the combined arginine-carnitine drug course).

Results. Tumor necrosis factor-α levels in peripheral blood significantly decreased in main group. The homocystein levels in the wound blood in main group significantly decreased on the 8–10th and the 12–14th day. The endothelin-1 levels in peripheral blood and in wound blood in main group significantly decreased during the study period. The immunohistochemical study showed increased expression of markers CD31, VEGF, vimentin in the regeneration zone, pronounced positive expression of epithelial cells (pancytokeratin) in main group.

Conclusions. The combined arginine-carnitine drug usage in burn therapy reduces the inflammatory process intensity in a burn wound, reduces the risk of development and manifestation of endothelial dysfunction, ensures wound process optimization, creates favorable conditions for reparative regeneration processes in patients with burn wounds.

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