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Updated: May 17, 2026
A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery
Published on: November 8, 2019
Micro-RNA profiling as biomarkers in flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Kao-Ping Chang1, Chung-Sheng Lai
1College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. kapich@kmu.edu.tw
Background:
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is usually the key and often plays an irreversible role to induce flap compromise in microvascular tissue transfers. This article aims to profile the expression of micro-RNAs (miRs) in free flap surgeries following IRI.
Methods:
The miRs expression profiling was initially surveyed in rat epigastric flap vessels using Agilent 350-Microarrayed miRs after IRI, and then quantified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in flap vessels and tissues (n = 5) at three intervals: before induction of ischemia (normoxia without IRI, sham), 2 and 72 hours after reperfusion following 2 hours of ischemia. Furthermore, for seven patients with free anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction, the miRs expression patterns in these flaps before induction of ischemia (normoxia), at 2 and 72 hours after reperfusion following an ischemic interval were investigated.
Results:
Four miRs (miR-96, miR-193-3p, miR-210, and miR-21) of 350 tested rat miRs were found to be positively significant. In rat flap vessels, the upregulation of these miRs at 72-hour reperfusion was statistically significant. These patterns were not noted in rat flap tissues, except for miR-96. However, there seemed to be no significant difference in human flap vessels between normoxia and 2-hour reperfusion following ischemia. In human flap tissue, significant upregulation of miR-193-3p, miR-210, and miR-21 was detected at 72-hour perfusion.
Conclusions:
Our findings show some changes of four upregulated miRs in our model of IRI. We suggest that further investigation is needed to determine the role of miRs in IRI of microsurgical reconstruction.
Insights
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) impacts free flap surgery. This study identified four micro-RNAs (miRs) upregulated in rat flap vessels after IRI, with some changes also seen in human flap tissue.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Biology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a critical factor causing flap compromise in microvascular tissue transfers.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms, such as micro-RNA (miR) expression, is crucial for mitigating IRI effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile micro-RNA expression in free flap surgeries following ischemia-reperfusion injury.
- To investigate the role of specific miRs in the context of IRI in microsurgical reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Micro-RNA expression profiling was conducted in rat epigastric flap vessels using microarray analysis after IRI.
- Real-time RT-PCR quantified miR expression in rat and human flap vessels and tissues at various time points post-reperfusion.
- Expression patterns were analyzed in seven patients undergoing free anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction.
Main Results:
- Four miRs (miR-96, miR-193-3p, miR-210, and miR-21) were significantly upregulated in rat flap vessels at 72 hours post-reperfusion.
- Upregulation was observed in rat flap tissues for miR-96, but not other tested miRs.
- In human flap tissue, significant upregulation of miR-193-3p, miR-210, and miR-21 was detected at 72 hours post-reperfusion.
Conclusions:
- The study identified specific micro-RNA expression changes associated with IRI in a microsurgical reconstruction model.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of these miRs in IRI and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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