THE EFFECTS OF ALBUMIN ADMINISTRATION ON MICROVASCULAR PERMEABILITY AT THE SITE OF BURN INJURY

In a canine hind leg model, lymph flow (Q(L)), lymph (C(L)), and plasma (C(P)) total protein concentrations, the reflection coefficient for total proteins (sigma(d)), and the filtration coefficient (K(f)) were determined before and for 6 hours after a 5-second 100-degrees-C hind paw scald (3% total body surface area, TBSA). Before injury, hind leg venous pressure was elevated and maintained by outflow restriction until a minimal, steady-state C(L)/C(P) ratio was achieved. Albumin (5%) was infused 30 minutes after the scald at low (0.4 mL/kg/% TBSA) or high (2 mL/kg/% TBSA) doses. Scald uniformly increased Q(L), C(L)/C(P), K(f), and paw weight gain (PWG). Whereas postburn infusion of low-dose albumin mildly attenuated increases in C(L)/C(P) and PWG noted in scald-alone animals, no differences were noted between the scald and scald/high-dose albumin groups.