The effects of nitric oxide donor molsidomine on skeletal muscle damage in a rat hind limb model of ischemia-reperfusion.
BACKGROUND
In this experimental study, we aimed to examine the protective effect of molsidomine (MS), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in a rat skeletal muscle model.


METHODS
Ischemia was achieved by application of an elastic rubber band as high as possible on the left thigh of the rats. Group 1: the control group received a sham operation. Group 2: the I-R group received I-R injury to the left hind limbs. Group 3: the I-R/MS group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received MS. Group 4: the I-R/L-NAME (N-omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester) group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received L-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthase.


RESULTS
In groups 2 and 4, malondialdehyde increased significantly when compared to groups 1 and 3. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. The NO levels were significantly elevated in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. In addition, the histopathological score was considerably lower in group 3 than in group 4. The number of necrotic muscle fibers and infiltration of neutrophils were significantly reduced in the MS-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that MS can exert a protective effect against skeletal muscle injury caused by I-R in the rats.
Ozturk
K
K
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vakif Gureba Educational Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. kahraman_ozturk@hotmail.com
Ozyurt
H
H
Somay
A
A
Karaca
C
C
D000818:Animals; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D008981:Molsidomine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester