Poloxamer-188 improves capillary blood flow in the zone of stasis after burn injury

Cutaneous burn injury causes blood flow reduction in regions near the site of the injury, collectively termed as the zone of stasis. Blood flow, in this zone, ceases after 24-48 hours resulting in an expansion of the injured area. The authors used intravital microscopy to investigate the zone of stasis. CD-1 male mice (30 g) were fitted with skin flap chambers and capillary blood flow was visualized by intravenously injecting fluorescently labeled red blood cells into the mice. A temperature-controlled copper tip of 2 mm diameter was used to inflict a full-thickness burn injury on the mouse skin. Real time fluorescent images of the blood flow before and after the burn were recorded. Playback image analysis showed that there was a reduction in blood flow near the site of burn injury immediately (0-2 hrs.) after the injury and away from the site of injury there was no change. Intravenous injection of Poloxamer-188 (0.1 ml, 200 mg/kg) greatly improved blood flow in the zone of stasis.