OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of anisodamine (Ani) injection on the survival rate and histologic result of flaps with ischemia-reperfusion injury, so as to demonstrate the protective effect of Ani on the flap survival.

METHODSA total of 48 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into model control, normal saline(NS) and anisodamine groups, with 16 rats in each group. An 3 cm x 6 cm axial flap was formed at the right lower abdomen with abdominal superficial blood vessel as the pedicle. 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm skin tissue was taken from the middle part of flaps in each group, immediately after operation, 12, 18, 24 h after operation. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappaB contents in the specimens were detected. The histologic study was also performed. The flap survival rate was recorded 7 days after operation.

RESULTSFlap survival rate was (78.6 +/- 7.3) % in Anisodamine group. 12, 18, 24 h after reperfusion injury, the SOD was (103.3 +/- 3.9), (82.6 +/- 3.8), (67.5 +/- 4.6) U/mg; the NO was (5.33 +/- 2.05), (4.75 +/- 1.68), (4.15 +/-1.59) nmol/mg; the NF-kappaB was 0.211 +/- 0.039, 0.313 +/- 0.033, 0.096 +/- 0.028. The contents of SOD, NO and NF-kappaB had the statistical difference of at different time. The skin pathological changes in Anisodamine group was obviously better than those in NS group. Flap survival rate in Anisodamine group was significantly higher than that in NS group.

CONCLUSIONSIn the flap with ischemia-reperfusion injury, Anisodamine can reduce the damage of free radical, increase the blood flow, reduce the production of NF-KB, decrease inflammatory reaction. So Anisodamine can increase the survival rate of flaps with ischemia reperfusion injury.