Comparative plasma phenylalanine and glutamate profiles in scalded rats treated with Mebo or Copper (I) Nicotinate Complex

The time profile of total proteins and albumin in line with two amino acids, Phe and Glu, are of great importance due to their indicative value of the healing and/or deterioration of burn wounds. In this experiment, rats exposed to scalding that produced a second-degree burn were divided into four groups: control, placebo, MEBO ointment, and copper (I) nicotinate complex ointment (an antioxidant anti-inflammatory) for four weeks. The three treatments showed noticeable similarities in the Phe profiles, with a slight drop 24 hours post burn, a peak elevation by the second week, and a slight, insignificant decline by the third week, with the placebo group showing highest values over normal (P< 0.05). In the Glu profile, large differences were observed: two set profiles, one representing MEBO and copper (I) nicotinate showed one peak in the second week, and the other representing placebo showed two peaks in the first and third weeks. Albumin and total protein time profiles showed the same trend throughout the whole experiment, and are in line with a reformed metabolic state parallel to wound closure. These results reveal that MEBO and copper nicotinate have comparable effects on wound healing in scald burns, and that plasma Glu profile is a better systemic indicator reflecting the regularity and steadiness of the healing process in MEBO and copper complex treatment