Effects of ruthenium red on myocardial energy metabolism during t he early stage after severe burns

Objective To investigate the effects of r uthenium red on myocardial energy metabolism during the early stage after severe burns. Methods Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group, burns group and ruthenium red treated group (RR) (n=8 in each group). The rats in the burns group and RR group were scalded to 30% total body surface area degree Ⅲ, and 30 min later, resuscitated with Ringer's solution. Meanwh ile, ruthenium red was injected to the rats of RR in a dose of 2 mg/kg, and once again 3 h later. After rats were sacrificed at the 6th h postscalding, contents of myocard ial ATP, ADP, AMP and lactic acid, mitochondrial respiratory function and Ca 2+ concentration（［Ca2+］m） were determined. Results Myocardial ATP content in the RR group was increa sed by 100.4% and lactic acid decreased by 53.5% as compared to the burns group. Meanwhile, mitochondrial respiratory control rate (RCR) and ST3 were higher t han those of burns group. However, ［Ca2+］m, ST4, ADP and AMP in the RR group were significantly lower than those in the burns group. Conc lusion Ruthenium red improved myocardial energy metabolic conditions and mitochondrial function during the early stage after severe burns.