Oral administration of nicorandil enhances the survival of ischemic skin flaps in rats.

Abstract Nicorandil has an anti-apoptotic effect on ischemic myocardium through the activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel. We tested the hypothesis that oral administration of nicorandil had a protective effect on ischemic skin flaps. A cranially based skin flap measuring 3 × 7 cm in full thickness was made on the back of rats. The rats were divided into a control group and 8 nicorandil groups (group 1–8) according to different doses and timings of administration. On day 7 at 5 cm, groups 1 to 6 (10 or 30 mg/kg twice per day for 3 days starting at 24 h before, 0.5 h before or 0.5 h after the operation) showed significantly higher blood perfusion change rate (73.3 ± 2.9%–79.1 ± 4.1% vs. 25.9 ± 8.6%, P P