Nitrosoglutathione improves blood perfusion and flap survival by suppressing iNOS but protecting eNOS expression in the flap vessels after ischemia/reperfusion injury

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Background The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the microcirculation and free tissue survival remain controversial. With the use of a rat inferior epigastric artery flap as an ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) model, we investigated whether exogenous NO donation regulates endogenous NO synthase (NOS) expression in the flap vessels and promotes flap survival. Methods Thirty minutes before flap reperfusion, normal saline (1 ml), nitrosoglutathione (GSNO 0.2, 0.6, 3 mg/kg), or N G-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME, 450 mg/kg), was injected intravenously into 20 rats. Total plasma NOx (NO 2-/NO 3-) was measured to reflect NO production. Immunohistochemical staining was investigated for the endothelin-1 (ET-1) and NOS isoforms expression on the flap vessels. NOS isoforms expression was evaluated by Western blot. Laser-Doppler flowmetry monitored flap perfusion. Survival areas were assessed by gross examination at 7 days postoperatively. Results Flap ischemia at 12 hours followed by reperfusion resulted in endothelial cell damage, as demonstrated by induction of iNOS and ET-1 expression in the flap vessels. An optimal dose of nitrosoglutathione (0.6 mg GSNO/kg) significantly increased plasma NOx levels ( P = .027) and improved flap perfusion by laser Doppler measurement ( P = .014), and increased the flap viability area ( P<.001). Additionally, it selectively suppressed iNOS induction, but enhanced eNOS expression and decreased ET-1 deposition in the flap vessels. In contrast, an NOS inhibitor, N G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, inhibited both iNOS and eNOS expression in the flap vessels, decreased endogenous NOx production, and compromised flap viability. Conclusion This study indicates that intravenous administration of exogenous GSNO can appropriately donate NO to suppress iNOS induction and enhance eNOS expression in pedicle vessels, resulting in better blood perfusion and a higher flap survival after I/R injury.