Psalmotoxin-1 Venom on the Inflammatory Response and Burn Healing Process in the Experimental Burn Model

INTRODUCTION: Burn wounds caused by monopolar or bipolar cautery, which are common in surgical practice, can lead to serious complications in the post-operative period. We observed that psalmotoxin-1 (Pctx1) induces an inflammatory response during the burn-healing process and creates an effective wound-healing process. It also triggered the development of granulation tissue. Thanks to this venom, complications that may occur can be prevented in the early period.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 18 healthy, 300–350 g weighted, adult (aged>5 months) male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 (n=9) was the control group. Group 2 (n=9) was burned and treated with PCTx1 0,1cc/kg IP. Post-recovery burn areas were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. All samples were classified in terms of tissue repair response (TRR) values (inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization, and epithelization) and other examination criteria of bacterial colonization and bleeding.
RESULTS: PCTx1 helped the wound healing process and when the inflammation, fibrosis, epithelization values of neovascularization, and other TRR values were examined, they were found to be significantly different compared to the control group 1 (p<0.05). In addition, the bacterial colonization and bleeding values of control group 1 were found to be significantly higher than group 2 (PcTx1) (p<0.05). According to histopathological examination, more granulation tissue and neovascularization were observed in the epidermis and wound area in Group 2 than in Group 1. In Group 2 (burn group treated with PcTx1), intense healing was observed characterized by the formation of well-organized granulation tissue in the epidermis and dermis. PcTx1 was also observed to be more effective by accelerating inflammation.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Using PcTx1 in the wound healing process of burns, completing the remodeling phase of wound healing. We observe that this venom has the potential to be considered among the treatment options for such injuries in the future.