Induction of hypertriglyceridemia in rabbits by thermal injury: I. Time course of elevated plasma triglyceride levels

Thermal injury was produced in rabbits to determine (1) whether hypertriglyceridemia was inducible by thermal injury and, if so, (2) what was its time course and (3) how were the levels of apolipoproteins B, E, and A-I affected. In this study, seven New Zealand-specific pathogen-free male rabbits were inflicted with a burn to 27% of the total body surface area; another seven rabbits underwent a sham procedure. Plasma triglyceride levels rose markedly in the thermally injured group, and the hypertriglyceridemia persisted for ten days. Total plasma apolipoprotein B levels increased markedly by three days postburn and remained elevated for a period longer than the hypertriglyceridemia. In contrast, apolipoprotein E levels slowly increased, reaching a peak by day 10, and declined thereafter. Plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-I increased rapidly and remained elevated for two months. Thus, hypertriglyceridemia and concomitant changes in levels of apolipoproteins B, E, and A-I could be induced in rabbits by thermal injury. Plasma triglyceride levels were elevated for some time and then returned to normal, whereas apolipoprotein levels remained elevated for a longer time. These abnormalities may impair normal lipid transport in the postburn phase.