Effect of burn injury on pancreatic uptake of 3H-DTBZ, 18FDG and 35S-methionine

1518 Objectives Burn injury produces insulin resistance by mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we have examined the effect of burn injury to mice on pancreatic uptake of 3H DTBZ (a radioligand specific for Vesicular Mono Amine transporter-2, VMAT2), 18FDG (for studying glucose metabolism) or 35-methionine (for studying protein synthesis). Methods CD-1 male mice (Charles River, Boston, MA. 28-30 grams) were anesthetized with ether and subjected to a 30% TBSA burn by dipping the dorsum in a 90oC water bath for 9 seconds, followed by dipping the ventral surface in a 90oC water bath for 4 seconds. The animals were resuscitated with 2 ml of saline given intraperitoneally. Sham animals received the same treatment with no burn injury. 24 hrs later the mice were injected by tail vein with either 3H-DTBZ, 18FDG, or 35S-methionine. One hour later the mice were euthanized, the pancreatic tissue was removed and radioactivity was measured by standard beta or gamma counting techniques. All results were expressed as % Injected Dose/g, mean +/- SD. Results As illustrated in the Table, burn injury 24 hrs previously caused a significant increase in vivo in the incorporation of 3H-DBTZ into the pancreas, while causing a significant decrease in the uptake of 35S-methione by the same tissue as compared to the shams. There was no difference in the uptake of 18FDG by the pancreas of the burn animals compared to shams. Conclusions The current data suggest that burn injury 24 hrs previously to mice results in alterations in both monoamine-transporter expression and protein synthesis in the pancreas. Such changes may play a role in the development of burn induced insulin resistance. Research Support Shriners Hospitals for Childre