[Effects of heat-shock pretreatment on the survival of island flaps in rats].
OBJECTIVE
This study was to develop a new method that can lessen ischemia reperfusion injury and improve the survival of the island flap.


METHODS
A right lower abdominal island flap was created in the SD rat according to the protocol of Harashina. Animals were divided into 2 groups (heat-shock pretreatment and control groups). The island flap viability and electronic microscopical appearance of flap tissue were evaluated following ischemia reperfusion injury. In order to explore the mechanism of this phenomenon, we examined the contents of HSP70 and measured the levels of SOD and MDA of the flap at various times.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, SOD activities of the flap were higher, and MDA content was lower. Survival rate of the island flap with heat-shock pretreatment was significantly increased (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The heat-shock pretreatment can lessen ischemia reperfusion injury and improve the survival of the island flap. It is suggested that the mechanism be related to following aspects: 1. The heat-shock pretreatment maintains stability of cell's function and structure. 2. It may increase the ability to catabolize free radicals by antioxidative enzymes.
Wu
J
J
Department of Plastic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003.
Lin
Z
Z
Liu
Q
Q
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D019194:Ischemic Preconditioning; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase