GLUTATHIONE DISULFIDE AS A MARKER OF REPERFUSION INJURY IN ISCHEMIC SKIN FLAPS

Estimation of the oxidised form of glutathione (GSSG) in an ischaemic/ reperfused organ is frequently employed as an indicator of oxidative s tress created by the production of oxygen free radicals during the rep erfusion period, The time course of oxidative stress and tissue damage in 19 ischaemic/reperfused guinea-pig island skin flaps was evaluated , No-flow ischaemia was induced in the flaps for 6 h in 7 animals, and for 8 h in 9 animals (a further 3 animals served as controls without ischaemia), Arterial and venous blood samples were obtained directly f rom the flap pedicle at baseline, 10, 30, and 60 min following reperfu sion. Results suggest that a second focus of oxidative injury, possibl y mediated by activated neutrophils, contributes to the overall proces s of reperfusion injury, Plasma levels of GSSG allow for a more sensit ive quantification of oxidant stress within reperfused ischaemic flaps , and may serve as a useful tool in skin flap research.