Objective: To study the protective effect of ligustrazine on vascular
endothelial cells (VEC) in the early stage of burn.
Method: Guinea pigs were scalded to 30%TBSA full-thickness and were divided into treatment group (n=48) and
resuscitation group (n=48). And in control group (n=8), the animals were not scalded. In resuscitation group, animals were given balanced fluid for resuscitation, while in treatment group, in addition to balanced fluid,
ligustrazine was administered. Plasma endothelin and nitric oxide levels were determined before injury and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hr post injury. At 4 and 8 hr post injury, morphological changes of VEC of arteria ileocolia were examined under a transmission electron microscope. Results: The plasma ET level in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the resuscitation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The difference in serum nitric oxide level was not significant. The difference of ET/NO ratio between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). Pathological examination showed that in treatment group, vascular endothelial cell injury was significantly less than that of the resuscitation group. Conclusion: Ligustrazine has protective effect on the vascular endothelial cell at early stage of burn. <