Protective effects of antioxidant medications on limb ischemia reperfusion injury

N-acetylcysteine, beta-glucan, and coenzyme Q(10) were shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on reperfusion injury. The aim of our study was to determine and evaluate the effects of these agents on ischemia reperfusion injury of limb.

Forty-four New Zealand white rabbits, all female, weighing between 2.3 to 4.2 (mean 3.8) kg, were used in the study. Four study groups were arranged of 11 animals each, by randomization. The first group was the control group (Group C), the other groups were the Group Q, which was medicated with coenzyme Q10, the Group betaG, which was medicated with beta-glucan, and the Group N, medicated with N-acetylcysteine. After baseline measurements, for the ischemia-reperfusion experiments, common iliac artery was clamped and collateral flow was occluded by a rubber arterial tourniquet wrapped around the thigh at the proximal third of the leg. After 60 min of transient ischemic period, the limb was perfused for 180 min. After perfusion, biopsy was taken from the adductor magnus muscle. Second blood sampling was done after reperfusion period. Blood and tissue analysis were done and evaluated statistically.

Baseline and post-reperfusion levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), super oxide dismutase (SOD), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) changed significantly. While MDA levels increased in the control group, it decreased in the other study groups. The increase in GPx and SOD levels were significant in all groups except the control group. Levels of NO were found to have decreased in the control group, whereas it had increased in the other groups.

Antioxidant medication may help lowering limb ischemia reperfusion injury. All mentioned medications in our study are shown to be able to have an effective role for preventing ischemia reperfusion injury to some extent through their antioxidant properties.