VITAMIN-E PROTECTS HUMAN SKELETAL-MUSCLE FROM DAMAGE DURING SURGICAL ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION

PURPOSE: The biochemical and morphological alterations induced in lowe r limb skeletal muscle by ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) during aortic sur gery and the effect of vitamin E pretreatment were investigated. METHO DS: Two groups of patients undergoing aortic aneurysm resection, one u ntreated and one treated with vitamin E, were examined. Quadricep musc le biopsies were taken after induction of anesthesia, at the end of is chemia, and after reperfusion. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and m orphology of biopsies were examined to assess peroxidative processes. RESULTS: Ischemia did not induce an increase in MDA content but did in crease neutrophil infiltration in muscle fibers of untreated patients. Reperfusion led to a significant increase in MDA content and to inter myofibrillar edema and mitochondrial swelling. The MDA content was not increased during ischemia and neutrophil infiltration was minimal in vitamin E treated patients. At reperfusion, the MDA content, the ultra structural injuries and neutrophil infiltration were significantly red uced by the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E is effective in reducing the oxidative muscle damage occurring after a period of I-R. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.