The additive effects of carnitine and ascorbic acid on distally burned dorsal skin flap in rats.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of combined use of L-carnitine and vitamin C on partially burned skin flap in an experimental rat model.


METHODS
In the rat dorsal skin, a 10 x 3 cm flap was marked. The most distal 3 x 3 cm part was burned to full thickness. Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups with 6 animals in each. Group 1 was simply followed up. Group 2 was given 0.5 mg/kg vitamin C per day for 7 days, group 3 100 mg/kg carnitine per day for 7 days, and group 4 both carnitine and vitamin C. On the eighth postoperative day, the animals were sacrificed and examined. The surviving and necrotic areas were determined by macroscopic examination and measured with a planimeter.


RESULTS
The areas of flap necrosis were measured. The median surviving areas and areas of flap necrosis, respectively, of the groups were: group 1, 16.0 cm(2) and 14.0 cm(2); group 2, 18.25 cm(2) and 11.75 cm(2); group 3, 20.0 cm(2) and 10 cm(2) ; and group 4, 23.75 cm(2) and 6.25 cm(2). The surviving areas of the groups were found to be significantly different (p=0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of ischemia-induced necrosis in flap attempts made in damaged tissues may be reduced by the combination of two promising agents, L-carnitine and vitamin C. L-carnitine appears to be the major contributing factor that reduces necrosis, and vitamin C an additive agent.
Arslan
Emrah
E
Mersin University Medical School, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mersin, Turkey. cleohus@gmail.com
Basterzi
Yavuz
Y
Aksoy
Alper
A
Majka
Christopher
C
Unal
Sakir
S
Sari
Alper
A
Demirkan
Ferit
F
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D002331:Carnitine