Pathophysiological mechanisms and exercise counter measures of hypermetabolism and muscle wasting in severe burns

Severe burns cause a cascade of unwanted effects such as an overdrive in metabolism, loss of muscle tissue, and loss of the body's ability to effectively handle glucose as an energy source and an enhanced inflammatory state. Against common belief, these side effects have shown to persist for years, and cause long-term consequences such as a reduced physical fitness and a higher risk of developing diabetes. Despite many research efforts, much of these persistent side effects that occur in burns are not well understood. Efforts to counteract the negative effects on metabolism, the loss of muscle tissue and to prevent or lessen the amount of the inflammation have not yet been successful. Exercise rehabilitation has the potential to, at least partly, prevent and/or restore the negative consequences as has been shown in other critically ill hospitalised patients. This project will, therefore, shed more light onto 1) the short- and long-term effects of severe burns on energy metabolism, loss of muscle tissue, and inflammation in adults, and 2) the effect of an 8-week exercise rehabilitation programme during the initial period of hospitalization on these parameters. In order to successfully execute this project, we will study patients from Belgium and Chinese burn centres to get a better understanding of the bodily derangements, which will lay a foundation for better future care of burn patients.

Keywords:BURNS

Disciplines:Metabolic diseases, Intensive care and emergency medicine not elsewhere classified, Rehabilitation sciences not elsewhere classified

Project type:Collaboration project