In burn injuries, free radicals are produced during fluid replacement, altering multiple components of the organism such as nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. Thus, if on the one hand restoring blood flow is generally necessary to recover normal cell function, on the other hand oxygen reperfusion into ischemic tissues triggers massive production of oxygen free radicals, therefore further exacerbating ischemic injury. The role of neutrophiles activated in the cell after burns has also received special attention. By means of the NADPH-oxidase system, adherent neutrophiles may release superoxide radicals inflicting major tissue damage. The burn injury not only increases the production of free radicals but it is also capable of impairing the antioxidant defense mechanism, subjecting the burned patient to oxidative stress, which can be a perpetuating factor of the inflammatory response and lead to progressive metabolic deterioration. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to provide updated information on antioxidant supplementation in burned patients and describe the benefits of this intervention.
antioxidants; oxidative stress; burns; free radicals
