Objective: To study the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in intestinal mucosa during the early stage after severe burn injury and its significance.
Methods: With a model of 30% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness burned rats, the expression and distribution of HSP70 and heat shock factor-1 (HSF1) in intestinal mucosal were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postburn.
Results: The expression of HSP70 mRNA and protein in intestinal mucosa increased markedly at 3 hours after severe burns, peaked at 6 and 12 hours, and lasted for 48 hours postburn (all P<0.01). Following a slight decline at 3 hours postburn, the expression of HSF1 increased gradually, and reached a highest level at 48 hours postburn (all P<0.01).
Conclusion: The expression of HSP70 and HSF1 markedly increase in intestinal mucosa following severe burn injury. It is suggested that the self-protective mechanism of cells might explain the increase of HSP70 expression.