Abstract

Low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are anticoagulants that have shown anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental models. Hot water burn inflammatory model accurately simulates human clinical situations allowing its use for nociception test and evaluation of anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study aims to evaluate the enoxaparin pretreatment on local and systemic inflammation biomarkers in the animal burn model. Inflammation was induced by submersing the rat left hind paw in water at 60(o)C for 60s. C-reactive protein (CRP) and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) were estimated by immunosorbent assay, fibrinogen (Fg) by the gravimetric method and paw oedema by orthogonal digital photography. Highest values of paw oedema, CRP and TAT were observed at 4h post-burn while Fg peak occurs at 12h post-burn; enoxaparin pretreatment decreased oedema (-32.1%), and concentration of TAT (-66.7%), PCR (-37.9%) and Fg (-8%). This study shows that enoxaparin has local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects and should be considered as a potential adjuvant drug for the treatment of burns.