Depletion of glutathione by buthionine sulfoximine decreases random-pattern skin flap viability in rats.
BACKGROUND
Glutathione (GSH) is one of the most highly concentrated intracellular antioxidants. Exogenous GSH has been shown to increase random-pattern skin flap survival. However, the effects of endogenous GSH depletion on random-pattern skin flap viability have never been studied.


METHODS
To evaluate the effects of systemic glutathione depletion on random-pattern skin flap survival in rats, 28 Wistar albino rats were divided into control, sham, and BSO (buthionine sulfoximide, a selective inhibitor for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase) groups. Dorsal, cranial-based random-pattern skin-flaps were elevated and the percentage of flap necrosis was measured in all rats at the postoperative day 7.


RESULTS
BSO-treated rats showed increased skin flap necrosis when compared with untreated animals (P < 0.001). High-dose BSO treatment group had more clinically evident necrosis than low dose group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals the importance of endogenous GSH for random skin-flap viability.
Coban
Yusuf Kenan
YK
Department of Plastic Surgery, Sutcuimam University School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. cobanyk@ksu.edu.tr
Ergun
Yusuf
Y
Ciralik
Harun
H
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D019328:Buthionine Sulfoximine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019328:Buthionine Sulfoximine; D005978:Glutathione