Naringin improves random skin flap survival in rats

// Liang Cheng 1 , Tingxiang Chen 1 , Qiming Tu 1 , Hang Li 1 , Zhenghua Feng 1 , Zhijie Li 1 and Dingsheng Lin 1 1 Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Correspondence to: Dingsheng Lin, email: lindingsheng@gmail.com Zhijie Li, email: lzhjwh@126.com Keywords: naringin, random flap survival, angiogenesis, inflammation, rat Received: July 28, 2017      Accepted: September 18, 2017      Published: October 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Random-pattern flap transfer is commonly used to treat soft-tissue defects. However, flap necrosis remains a serious problem. Naringin accelerates angiogenesis by activating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the present study, we investigated whether naringin improves the survival of random skin flaps. Results: Compared with controls, the naringin-treated groups exhibited significantly larger mean areas of flap survival, significantly increased SOD activity and VEGF expression, and significantly reduced MDA level. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining revealed that naringin promoted angiogenesis and inhibited inflammation. Materials and Methods: “McFarlane flap” models were established in 90 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats divided into three groups: a 40 mg/kg control group (0.5 % sodium carboxymethylcellulose), a 40 mg/kg naringin-treated group, and an 80 mg/kg naringin-treated group. The extent of necrosis was measured 7 days later, and tissue samples were subjected to histological analysis. Angiogenesis was evaluated via lead oxide–gelatin angiography, immunohistochemistry, and laser Doppler imaging. Inflammation was evaluated by measurement of serum TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) levels. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Conclusion: Naringin improved random skin flap survival.