Protective effect of telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine (GV1001) on inferior epigastric island skin flap survivability in ischaemia-reperfusion injury rat model.
BACKGROUND
Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in oxidative damage and a profound inflammatory reaction, leading to cell death. GV 1001 is a telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine developed against cancer. However, it has also been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine if GV 1001 can reduce the negative effects caused by IRI in a rat skin flap model owing to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.


METHODS
In order to evaluate the effect of GV 1001, 5 × 5 cm2inferior epigastric artery based island skin flaps were dissected in 39 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220-270 g. The rats were divided into three groups: (I) non-ischaemic group; (II) IRI with saline; and (III) IRI with 10 mg GV 1001 treatment. Drugs were administered intra-muscularly directly before and after ischaemia. Flap survival area, neutrophil infiltration, cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Flap survivability was analysed at 7 days after surgery.


RESULTS
Flap survival area was significantly larger in group III than in group II. Cytokine release level was also significantly lower in group III. Neutrophil infiltration grade, MDA level, and SOD activity slightly decreased in Group III; however, the changes were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply that GV 1001 exerts a protective effect against IRI through antioxidant effects, reducing reactive oxygen species, and suppressing the inflammatory cascade.
a Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine , Kyung Hee University , Seoul , Korea.
Yung Ki
YK
Lee
b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Dr. Soetomo General Hospital ? Airlangga University School of Medicine , Surabaya , Indonesia.
Beta Subakti
BS
Nata'atmaja
c Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.
Byung Hwi
BH
Kim
d Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Seongnam , Korea.
Chang Sik
CS
Pak
c Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.|d Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Seongnam , Korea.
Chan Yeong
CY
Heo
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D023421:Models, Animal; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016207:Cytokines; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C514987:GV1001 peptide; D019098:Telomerase
Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI); cytokine expression; flap survivability; neutrophil infiltration; telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine (GV 1001)