Abstract: AIM:To investigate the effects of early insulin treatment on cardiac function and survival rate in rats after severe scald injury. METHODS: Sixty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into sham-operated group (in 37℃ water), scald injury group (immersing the back of rats for 15 sec and abdomen for 5 sec in 95℃ water) and insulin treatment group (s.c. injection, 2.5 U/kg). Blood glucose was determined at 0 min, 30 min, 1 h and 3 h post-scald, and cardiac function was observed at 3-h post-scald. The survival status of each rat was recorded 8 h post-scald. RESULTS: Compared with those in the control group, blood glucose soared and cardiac function were impaired in scald injury group at 3 h post-scald (n=10, P<0.01). Early insulin treatment significantly decreased blood glucose (n=10, P<0.01). Meanwhile, cardiac dysfunction was alleviated by insulin treatment (n=10, P<0.05). After early insulin treatment, post-scald survival rate was significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Early insulin treatment alleviates cardiac dysfunction and improves survival rate in rats after severe scald injury.