Adenosine in burn blister fluid.

BACKGROUND

Burn wound blister fluid is known to sustain suppressive effects on various components of the immune system. Damaged tissues cause an increase of adenosine concentrations. Since adenosine is a potent anti-inflammatory agent we hypothesized that burn blister fluid contains high concentrations of this nucleoside.

METHODS

Burn blister fluid was drawn from eleven patients who suffered a second degree burn injury. Adenosine concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Elevated adenosine levels were detected in 6 of the 11 patients (54.5%), with an overall mean of 1.13+/-0.52 mM.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first documented data showing increased concentrations of adenosine in burn blister fluid.