The aim of this study was to determine the changes of
cytokine levels in draining lymph fluid and the changes of CD4+/CD8+ T-cells ratio in draining lymph node of
burn wound. Male Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral hind limb
burn (
burn limbs group) and contralateral hind limb without
burn (control limbs group). On hours 6, 24, and 72 after
burn, rats were killed; lymph fluid in the efferent lymph trunk of the common iliac lymph nodes (CILN) were collected; and lymph fluid
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma),
interleukin-4 (IL-4) and
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (
TNF-alpha) concentrations were measured by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. The CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio of CILN was submitted to flow cytometry. The results showed
TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly greater in the
burn limbs group when compared with the control limbs group (P < .05). The IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio was significantly lower (P < .05). The CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio was significantly lower on postburn hours 72 (P < .05). This study provides evidence that the
burn wound can increase
TNF-alpha levels and decrease IFN-gamma/
IL-4 ratio in the draining lymph fluid and decrease CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio in the draining lymph node.