NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE INHIBITORS IMPROVE SKIN FLAP SURVIVAL IN THE RAT

The ability of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors to reduce ischemi a-induced skin flap necrosis was assessed using a modified McFarlane f lap in the rat. Flap survival was significantly improved in L-NIO trea ted (86 +/- 2%), L-NAME-treated (84 +/- 2%), and aminoguanidine-treate d (76 +/- 2%) animals compared to the saline-treated group (54 +/- 2%) , P < 0.005. Inhibition of NO synthase significantly decreased the hyp eremia and edema within the flaps at 24 hours post-elevation. These fi ndings suggest that endogenous NO production contributes to ischemic n ecrosis and that inhibition of NO synthase may prove useful in extendi ng survival of tissues subjected to ischemia. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc .