Background: We aimed to evaluate the effects of two different burn dressings, hydrofiber with a silver (HFAg) and polylactic membrane (PLM), on altering the levels of important biomarkers Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) in blood and burnt tissue in children with second-degree burns.
Methods: Children between the ages of one to 16 years, with 25-50% second-degree partial-thickness burns of the total body surface area were included in this study. Patients in the PLM group were dressed with PLM in a typical way according to the manual. The HFAg group was dressed with HFAg and a sterile cover. During and at the end of the 21-day treatment, blood and skin tissue samples were taken from the two burn and control groups. IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β β3 levels were evaluated in blood and tissue samples from all groups, and the results were analyzed statistically.
Results: In the PLM group, IL-6 and TNF-α levels decreased early days in both serum and tissue samples to reach normal ranges compared with the HFAg group. In the PLM group, TGF-β3 levels were elevated than in other groups for two weeks.
Conclusion: In this study, we found that PLM controls inflammation earlier in both systemic and burn tissue. We also found that PLM increased the level of TGF-β3, which may be associated with the prevention of the development of hypertrophic scar in the burn wound, in the blood and burn tissue during this study.