The Protective Effect of NecroX-5 on Flap Survival and Ischemic Reperfusion Injury Inflammation in Rat Model

Abstract

Background NecroX-5 has been evaluated to have anti-necrotic potential on ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in skin flaps. Nevertheless, there is no study focusing on the underlying mechanism involved in this protective effect. We used NecroX-5 to assess the preventive effect and regulatory mechanisms on flap survival in rat model. Methods Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into two groups with 10 each: control IRI group and IRI with 30 mg/kg of NecroX-5-treated group. On postoperative day 7, viable area of the skin flap was measured and specimens were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Results The necrotic area of NecroX-5 group was significantly lower than those of control group (NecroX-5 group: 6±0.019%; control group: 38±0.11%; P<0.05). Furthermore, levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were markedly lower in NecroX-5 groups than in control groups and NecroX-5 groups resulted in an apparent decrease of infiltrating immune cells. Conclusion We suggest that NecroX-5 acts as a protective factor during IRI of skin flaps by inducing a negligible amount of proinflammatory cytokines. Key Words: NecroX-5; Ischemia; Reperfusion; Reperfusion injury; Rats; Cytokines; Surgical flap.