The effects of conjugated deferoxamine in porcine skin flaps.
BACKGROUND
The free radical scavenger, deferoxamine (DFO) has been shown to reduce skin flap necrosis; however, its shortcomings are its toxicity and short plasma half-life.


METHODS
This study investigates the effects of the less toxic, longer acting conjugated form, DFO-Hespan (DFO-H), to ischemic porcine skin flaps. During the study, DFO-H plasma concentrations and flap viability were evaluated over 10 days.


RESULTS
Steady DFO serum levels were maintained with no evidence of systemic side effects. However, DFO-H was not effective in increasing porcine skin flap viability. Mean treated flap viability (n = 18) was 36.2% +/- 1.7% (mean +/- SE ) vs control (n = 16) 35.8% +/- 2.6%, p =.9.


CONCLUSIONS
DFO-H conjugation increases its half-life and its systemic tolerance for DFO. However, this conjugation may also reduce DFO's effectiveness to preserve flap survival probably by decreasing its ability to reach the intracellular oxygen free radicals. In addition, further studies are needed to investigate whether longer DFO administration given postoperatively can be more effective in reducing ischemic injury.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota School of Medicine and Hennepin County Medical Center, Box 396, 420 Delaware Street S. E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
D B
DB
Hom
G S
GS
Goding
J A
JA
Price
K J
KJ
Pernell
R H
RH
Maisel
D000818:Animals; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006207:Half-Life; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013552:Swine; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000187:drug effects
D002614:Chelating Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D003676:Deferoxamine