Effects of vinpocetine on random skin flap survival in rats.

The effect of vinpocetine on flap survival, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were evaluated in this study. The McFarlane flap model was established in 20 rats and evaluated within two groups. Postoperative celiac injection was given for 7 days in the two groups: vinpocetine was applied in Group 1, and the same volume of saline was applied in Group 2. Flap necrosis was measured on day 7 by cellophane in all groups. VEGF expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods on tissue samples taken after 7 days of injections. SOD and MDA contents were examined according to the Kit (reagent instructions). Vinpocetine significantly reduced necrosis area in Group 1 (p < 0.05). VEGF expression and SOD contents were significantly increased in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (p < 0.01), whereas MDA level was reduced (p < 0.05). This experimental study demonstrates that vinpocetine improves survival of random skin flaps, promotes neovascularization, and increases VEGF expression. Meanwhile, vinpocetine has a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury by improving SOD vitality and decreasing MDA value.

[Changes of Substance P in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field after liquid nitrogen freezing of severed nerve for prevention of terminal neuroma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes of Substance P in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field after transient liquid nitrogen freezing of severed rat sciatic nerve for prevention of terminal neuroma. METHODS: The bilateral sciatic nerves of 20 SD rats were severed, and the left sciatic nerves was subjected to transient liquid nitrogen freezing with the right sciatic nerve as control. After 20 and 28 weeks, the nerve ends were resected and prepared for microscopic examination, and Substance P in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Typical neuromas occurred in the severed ends of the right sciatic nerves but not in the left sciatic nerves. The distribution and optical density of Substance P in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field was significantly smaller in the left than in the right nerves (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liquid nitrogen freezing of the severed sciatic nerve results in decreased release of Substance P in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field, suggesting that noxious stimulation may increase Substance P release in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn field.

[Acidic fibroblast growth factor for preventing motor endplate degeneration and muscular atrophy after motor nerve injury: a morphological and electrophysiological study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore measures to prevent motor endplate degeneration and muscular atrophy after motor nerve injury. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 equal groups. In two of the groups, the right common peroneal nerves of the rats were transected and immediately sutured with implantation of collagen gel carrier of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) or the empty carrier into the denervated tibialis anterior muscles. In the control group, the transected nerves were sutured without implantation. Six weeks after the operation, morphological and electrophysiological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In the control rats and those with empty collagen gel carrier implantation, obvious motor endplate degeneration and muscular atrophy occurred, which were not obvious in rats receiving aFGF carrier implantation. The decrement of repetitive nerve stimulation was significantly greater in the former two groups than in the latter. CONCLUSION: Implantation of collagen gel carrier of aFGF may prevent motor endplate degeneration and facilitate functional recovery of the neuromuscular junction after motor nerve injury.