Transferring the protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on skin flap among rats by blood serum

The aim of this study was to show whether the protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on flaps can be transferred among different individuals with the transfusion of blood serum. Blood serum was taken from rats without any procedure (Group x), rats 1 hour (Group y) and 24 hours (Group z) after performing RIPC and the remaining rats were divided into six groups. While the random pattern skin flap was performed only in the back region in Group 1, and it was performed 1 hour (Group 2) and 24 hours (Group 3) after induction RIPC. Flap surgery was performed after the intravenous injection of serum obtained from Group x in Group 4, from Group y in Group 5, and from Group z in Group 6. After 7 days, the ratios of viable areas in the flaps of the remaining rats were calculated. When the viable area ratios in the flaps to the whole flap area were calculated, it was found out that the viable area ratios in Group 2 (61.6%), Group 3 (75.6%) and Group 6 (74.2%) were statistically significantly higher compared to Group 1 (51.5%), Group 4 (52.6%) and Group 5 (58.7%), that viable area ratios in Groups 3 and 6 were statistically significantly higher compared to Group 2, and that there was no difference between Groups 3 and 6. This study showed that RIPC forms a protective effect on the flaps and that this effect could be transferred among individuals with blood serum.