Recovery of neuromuscular function during reperfusion of the ischemic extremity: effect of mannitol and superoxide...

The ability of mannitol and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to improve the recovery of peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle function and to influence metabolism during reperfusion after 4 hours of complete ischemia was investigated in an autoperfused canine hind-limb model. Study groups included control subjects (n = 7), subjects given 5000 units/kg of SOD intra-arterial bolus immediately before reperfusion and 10,000 units/kg infusion during first hour of reperfusion (n = 7), and subjects given 150 mg/kg isosmolar mannitol intra-arterial bolus before reperfusion and 1 gm/kg intravenous infusion during the first hour of reperfusion. Function was evaluated by determining isometric twitch and tetanic contractile force of paw dorsiflexion by stimulating the peroneal nerve or the anterior tibial muscle. Metabolic responses (oxygen consumption and lactate clearance) and blood flow were not influenced by either treatment protocol. However, mannitol significantly reduced muscle damage and significantly improved neuromuscular contractile function compared to control and SOD treatment regimens.