Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of seawater exposure on intestinal injury in rabbits with scald burns and explore
the mechanisms. Methods Sixty-three rabbits with scald burns covering 20% total body surface area were randomized equally
into scald control group (group A), scald with freshwater exposure group (group B), and scald with seawater exposure group
(group C). At 2, 4 and 8 h after scald burns, 7 rabbits from each group were sacrificed for detecting plasma superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels and intestinal contents of prostaglandins (PGs) and for examining the
intestinal pathologies; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in the small
intestinal epithelium. Results The rabbits in group C showed severer intestinal mucosal and barrier function damages than
those in groups A and B. The plasma SOD activity and intestinal PGs contents were significantly lowered in group C than in
groups A and B at 2, 4, and 8 h postburn (P<0.01) and reduced as the postburn time extended (P<0.01). In group C, plasma LPO
content was the highest among the groups (P<0.01) and increased significantly with the seawater exposure time (P<0.01). The
expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the intestinal mucosal tissues was also the highest in group C (P<0.01) at 4 h and 8 h postburn
and increased significantly with time (P<0.01). Conclusion Seawater exposure exacerbates scald burn-induced intestinal
mucosal and barrier function damages in rabbits mainly by aggravating intestinal inflammation and structural damage, as
evidenced by decreased intestinal PGs contents and plasma SOD activity, increased plasma PLO content, and enhanced Bax
and Bcl-2 protein expressions in the intestinal mucosa.