Thermal injury in rats alters glucose utilization by skin, wound, and small intestine, but not by skeletal muscle

The effects of thermal injury in rats on glucose utilization (Rg) by skin, wound, small intestine, and muscle in vivo has been determined using 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)FDG) 6 hours, 24 hours, and 3 weeks after injury. These results were compared with serum glucose and insulin levels at the same time points and with hexokinase activity in the tissues. Thermal injury had no significant effects on serum glucose levels; however, serum insulin levels were lower than sham values 6 hours after injury, the same as sham values 24 hours after injury, and significantly higher than sham values 3 weeks after injury. Rg of unburned skin was not changed at 6 or 24 hours after injury, but was increased at 3 weeks after injury. The Rg of the wound was almost zero at 6 and 24 hours after injury; however, at 3 weeks after injury, the wound area had a Rg two to three times higher than that of the normal skin of sham animals. Small intestine Rg was decreased 6 and 24 hours after injury, but was essentially normal by 3 weeks after injury. The Rg of muscle was unchanged at all of the time points tested. Total Rg was significantly higher in the animals 3 weeks after injury, with the increase primarily due to the increases in skin and wound. The increases in Rg were associated with changes in tissue hexokinase activity. The present data suggest that thermal injury to rats results in dramatic alterations in glucose utilization by the skin and wound, changes that may contribute to the overall alterations in carbohydrate metabolism during burn trauma. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company