Abstract
Background The necrosis of a distal area of random skin flap remains challenging. Muscone can
increase blood flow and reduce ischemia–reperfusion injury, this study was undertaken
to investigate the effects of muscone on random skin flap survival.
Materials McFarlane flaps were established in 72 rats and divided into two groups. The test
group received intraperitoneal injections of muscone (0.64 mg/kg/d); control rats
received intraperitoneal injections of saline. The percentage flap survival area and
tissue water content were measured after 7 days. Flap angiogenesis was assessed via
lead oxide-gelatin angiography, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry
and western blotting for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The extent of
apoptosis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase 3 and western
blotting for cleaved caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl2. Oxidative stress status was assessed
by measuring the activity of tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde
(MDA) content.
Results Compared with controls, muscone-treated flaps displayed greater survival area lower
tissue water content. Muscone increased skin flap angiogenesis and activated VEGF
expression. SOD activity and MDA content indicated lower oxidative stress in muscone-treated
flaps than controls, and western blotting and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly
lower apoptosis.
Conclusion Muscone have a positive effect to promote the survival of random skin flap.
Keywords
muscone - random flap survival - edema - oxidative stress - apoptosis
