The effects of epinephrine, ibuprofen, and tetrachlorodecaoxide on cutaneous microcirculation in thermally injured hamsters.

Fluctuations in the diameter of selected arterioles in the cutaneous microcirculation of Syrian golden hamster dorsal skin flap chambers, which ranged in size from 10 to 70 microns at different branching order sites, were measured before burn, at the same sites after burn and after injection of the drug. Three different drugs epinephrine (administered intravenously), ibuprofen (administered intravenously), and tetrachlorodecaoxide (administered intravenously and topically) were evaluated. Results show that the response to thermal injury in the control group involved extensive vasodilation in the arterioles, prolonged flow irregularities including flow obstructions and stasis, and a decrease in the level of vasoactivity of the microvessels. In two treatment groups, the ibuprofen and tetrachlorodecaoxide groups, significant improvement as indicated by reduced vasodilation and edema and improved microcirculatory blood flow after injury were observed. Further testing of tetrachlorodecaoxide as a topically applied wound dressing is indicated.