Effects of traditional Chinese medicine Shuxuetong injection on random skin flap survival in rats.
BACKGROUND
A Shuxuetong injection is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat "blood stasis and stagnation" (yu xue yu zhi). We investigated the effect of such injection on the survival of random skin flaps.


METHODS
McFarlane flaps were established in 60 rats divided into two groups. Postoperative celiac injections were given to both groups for 7 days. Shuxuetong was injected into the test group, and saline was injected into controls. On day 7, tissues were stained with H&E (hematoxylin-eosin) stain, immunohistochemically evaluated, and the expression levels of xanthine oxidase were determined.


RESULTS
The mean area of flap survival in the test group was significantly higher than in controls. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and superoxide dismutase, and microvessel development, were markedly increased in the test group, and the malondialdehyde level was reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Shuxuetong promotes random skin flap survival.
Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109, XueYuan Road (West), Lucheng, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
Leyi
L
Cai
Department of Anesthesia, The Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 57 Zhugan Lane, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
Wenfang
W
Huang
Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109, XueYuan Road (West), Lucheng, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
Dingsheng
D
Lin
D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C532053:shuxuetong; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase