Abstract
Purpose: Burn induced
inflammatory response can be mediated by reactive oxygen metabolites and
accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction. Taurine
has protective effects against various inflammatory conditions. The aim of this
study was to determine
the effect of Taurine supplement in thermal burn victims.
Methods: Thirty patients
with severe thermal burns were enrolled in this randomized double-blinded clinical trial. These patients were randomly divided
into two equal groups (namely Control and Taurine groups), where both received
isocaloric and isonitrogenous formula. One group was supplemented with 50 mg/kg
of Taurine per day for a duration of 10 days. Blood
samples were obtained to measure Interleukin-10 (IL-10), high-sensitivity
C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) levels at
the beginning and the end of the study.
Results: Change in serum
level of IL-10 in Taurine group was more than Control
group [-13.60(-31.40,
-10.40) compared to -4.00(-20.00, -0.20) respectively; P = 0.030]. This change was significant in patients with
more than 30% TBSA of burn [-14.20(-31.40, -10.40) compared to -2.40(-9.60, 0.40)
respectively; P = 0.013]. As for the
hs-CRP and TNF-α levels, the difference between the two groups were not
significant.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, Taurine supplement
showed a positive outcome on anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in all burn
patients. This effect was even more significant in patients with higher
percentage of burn area. Taurine had no significant effect on the inflammatory
marker hs-CRP and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α level. For a more
thorough verification, measurement of a wider range of inflammatory cytokines
in more frequent time intervals are suggested.