Liver dysfunction in pathogenesis of burn disease and its correction with succinate-containing drugs

Abstract

Current information on the effects of extensive and deep burns upon the liver functions as well as some novel methods of its correction with succinic acid derivates are reviewed. The liver is the main target organ for extensive burn injuries. Manifestations of cytolytic and cholestatic syndrome were observed already on the first days of the disease. To correct these conditions a comprehensive layout of the infusion of intensive therapy is needed. In burn disease it is impossible to restore the circulating blood volume only by infusion of plasma-substituting solutions. Thus, these cocktails must contain drugs, stabilizing metabolic disorders and reducing the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines. Complex intensive therapy in case of burns should also include correction of energy production within the cells without increasing oxygen transport. Substrate antihypoxic drugs are used in order to reduce the need of tissues for oxygen, stabilization of cell membranes and reduction of lipid peroxidation. Succinic acid is a substrate antihypoxic drug capable of detoxification, antihypoxic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Its derivates modify cellular respiration, compensate for metabolic acidosis, reducing lactate, pyruvate and citrate concentration, normalize histamine and serotonin concentration, improve microcirculation without affecting systemic hemodynamics. All of these effects are pathogenetically substantiated in the treatment of patients with burns. Data regarding the use of drugs on the basis of succinic acid in the treatment of patients with extensive deep burns, critical and supercritical burns during various periods of burn disease, their influence on the severity of multiple organ dysfunction in these patients, the presence of hepatoprotective effect are reported in a few of publications and their conclusions are so far ambiguous enough.