Effects of Shen-Fu injection on random skin flap survival in rats

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of Shen-Fu injection treatment on skin flap survival in an experimental random pattern skin flap model in rats. Materials and methodsNinety male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the SFI-treated groups and normal saline-treated (control) group. SFI (10 or 20ml/kg) or normal saline (10ml/kg) were administered intraperitoneally once daily. On postoperative day 2, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were evaluated. Besides, flap survival rate, tissue edema, mean vessel densities, number of neutrophil, flap angiography and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were examined on day 7. ResultsCompared with the control group, the mean survival area in SFI groups were significantly larger showing a possible dose-dependent effect of SFI. SOD activity was increased significantly, as well as the VEGF expression. MDA level, in the test group, however, was decreased. The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slices revealed that SFI had the angiogenesis promotion effect, meantime inflammation was clearly inhibited in the SFI groups. ConclusionThis study showed that intraperitoneally administered SFI significantly improved random skin flap survival in rats.