The effects of resveratrol on flap survival in diabetic rats

Resveratrol is an antioxidant agent with multiple positive impacts on the body. It is known to have anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and neuroprotective effects. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol on flap survival in diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley albino rats were treated with 10 mg/kg resveratrol following a flap surgery. Histological findings regarding polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) density, vascular proliferation, fibroblast density, and tissue necrosis were compared between resveratrol-treated and control rats. Significantly higher PMNL density was found in the control group (p = 0.005); while vascular proliferation and the fibroblast density were higher in the resveratrol group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.021, respectively). Collagen density was also higher in the resveratrol group and the difference has statistical significance (p = 0.024). Lymphocyte density was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.061). When the necrosis in the distal areas was evaluated histologically, 20% of the resveratrol group had epidermal tissue necrosis, thus 90% of the control group had epidermal or full-layer necrosis. Resveratrol improved flap survival significantly in diabetic rats. Therefore, diabetic patients requiring complex reconstructive procedures may benefit from resveratrol; so, clinical trials are required to support this study.