Non-severe burns induce a prolonged systemic metabolic phenotype indicative of a persistent inflammatory response post-injury

Abstract

To understand the metabolic consequences following non-severe burns, longitudinal plasma was collected from adults with non-severe burn injuries (n=35) within 48 hours of admission to hospital and at 6 weeks post-surgery, as well as non-burn controls (n=14). Samples were analysed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to quantify 112 lipoprotein, supramolecular phospholipid composite (SPC), GlycB arising from the glycoprotein N-acetylneuraminidino groups and 852 lipid species across 20 chemical subclasses. Alterations in lipoprotein and lipid metabolism were evident in samples taken within 48 hours of admission and found to be sustained at the 6-week timepoint, with increases in GlycB signal (p-value < 0.0001) and the multivariate importance of the apolipoprotein B100/apolipoprotein A1 (ABA1) ratio, as well as decreases in anti-inflammatory phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylserines. Low circulating high density lipoproteins, and increases in pro-atherogenic low density lipoproteins and monoacylglyceride (20:4) (p-value < 0.0001) are potentially indicative of an increased risk of cardiovascular disease after non-severe burns which requires further investigation.