OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic changes of
TNF-alpha content in the plasma and body tissues of dogs after
gunshot wound in the limbs in hot and humid environment. METHODS: Eighteen dogs with
gunshot wound were divided into 3 groups (6 in each), one observed in normal environment (Ne group) and the other two in hot and humid environment including a heat-acclimatized group (HA group) and a non-acclimatied group (NHA group). The contents of
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (
TNF-alpha) in the plasma and muscle tissues from the
gunshot wound tract were measured at 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 24 h respectively after the injury. RESULTS:
TNF-alpha content in the muscular tissue from
gunshot wound tract was significantly higher than that in the plasma (P<0.05). At 4 h after injury,
TNF-alpha content started to rise in NE group, reaching the peak level at 14 h, the rise and peaking of which occurred at 3 and 10 h respectively in NHE group with higher peak level than that in NE group (P<0.05). The changes of
TNF-alpha participates in the pathophysiological process after
gunshot wound in hot and humid environment and may play the role of and
indicator for the pathological changes that take place after the injury.