title: [The influence of zi-hua burn cream on the survival of random skin flaps in rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of zi-hua burn cream on the survival of skin flaps in rats, and its mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  72 Wistar rats, were randomly divided into four groups as zi-hua group(n = 18, external application of alfalfa burn cream), control group (n = 18, external application of heparin sodium cream), model group (n = 18, external application of vaseline) , negative control (n = 18, no operation). 8 cm x 2 cm random skin flaps with pedicle on the side of head were designed on the back of Wistar rats. The drug was applied on the flap surface, 2 times a day. The survival of skin flaps was observed. The change of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), turner necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were compared at 1,2,3,7 d after operation, and histologic examination was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival rate of zi-hua group (73.58 - 10. 74)% was significantly higher than that of model group (33.40 - 16.05) %, showing a statistical difference (Q = 10.63, P <0.01). There was no significant difference between the zi-hua group and control group (71.65 +/- 11. 92) %. The level of serum SOD, NO in zi-hua group and control group was higher than that in model group, while the level of serum MDA, TNF-alpha and IL-6 was lower than that in model group(P <0.01). On 7 day after operation, skin flaps tissue edema,necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in zi-hua group and control group was less obvious than that in model group. There was significant proliferation of granuloma and fibroblast and formation of neonatal capillary in zi-hua group and control group. The vascular density in zi-hua group was obviously higher than that in the model group and control group(P <0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zi-hua burn cream could significantly improve the blood supply of skin flaps, increase the survival rate of skin flaps in rats. Its mechanism may be associated with the anti-free-radical-damage action, improve local microcirculation, improve the NO content, reduce the TNF-alpha and IL-6 level, reduce inflammation factor release, improve oxidative stress state, and reduce inflammation reaction.
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China.
authors.forename: Bin-yu
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China.
authors.forename: Bin-yan
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China.
authors.forename: Li-fen
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China.
authors.forename: Yin-fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China.
authors.forename: Ya-rong
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase