Negative nitrogen balance is a typical metabolic response to burn injury resulting in decreased muscle mass and activity. Since insulin is an anabolic hormone, using insulin as a prophylactic agent in burned patients has received some attention. The present study was carried out to investigate the systemic effect of insulin on burn injury-induced muscle wasting.
Shriners Burns Hospital, Surgical Services and Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02114, USA.