Do prostaglandins have a salutary role in skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury?
OBJECTIVE
the effects of prostaglandins (PG) E1, E2, and the prostacyclin analogue iloprost with and without the addition of free-radical scavengers catalase and superoxide dismutase on gastrocnemius blood flow and oedema were studied in a rodent model of hindlimb ischaemia-reperfusion.


METHODS
male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 6-h hindlimb ischaemia with 4-h reperfusion. Prostaglandins were infused prior to reperfusion and their effects on limb blood flow and oedema examined.


RESULTS
control animals exhibited a triphasic pattern of muscle blood flow during reperfusion compared to normal animals. PGE1 did not abolish low reflow at 10 min, relative reperfusion was preserved but reperfusion injury was abolished at 120 min. Muscle blood flow was increased at 240 min compared to controls. Increased limb swelling was also seen. Addition of free-radical scavengers caused the abolition of low reflow. Similar results were seen with iloprost. PGE2 abolished low reflow at 10 min and increased perfusion at 120 min but did not prevent reperfusion injury at 240 min.


CONCLUSIONS
PGE1 and iloprost enhance muscle blood flow at 4-h reperfusion, though neither abolishes low reflow; PGE2 improved flow at 10 and 120 min but not after 240 min. This study demonstrates a potentially beneficial role for prostaglandins in improving muscle blood flow in skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
Rowlands
T E
TE
Vascular Surgical Unit, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
Gough
M J
MJ
Homer-Vanniasinkam
S
S
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D016285:Iloprost / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000527:Alprostadil; D016285:Iloprost; D015232:Dinoprostone