Use of nicotinic acid in cold injury. An experimental study.

Summary Cold injury was produced by immersing the rabbits' hind limbs in a mixture of ice and alcohol at a temperature of −5°C. to −10°C. for 2 hours. The limb was thawed slowly at the room temperature. Extent of damage was classified into six degrees, depending upon tissue survival. The efficacy of nicotinic acid, 10 to 20 mg. per kilogram of body weight, administered orally in three divided doses, was studied in different groups of rabbits. Nicotinic acid proved useful in reducing or preventing the damage caused by local cold injury in rabbits. Some possible explanations for this beneficial effect are discussed.