Time course of superoxide anion radicals generation in two ischaemia-reperfusion models: comparison between hindlimb replant model and isolated rectus femoris muscle model

We examined differences in superoxide radical (O-2(-)) production between a hindlimb replant model and isolated rectus femoris muscle model using rabb its. Using Japanese white rabbit hindlimbs, we made limb replant models (LR group: n = 10) and isolated rectus femoris muscle models (IM group: n = 8) by temporary 4-h clampings of femoral vessels and nutrient vessels, respec tively. For sham control subjects, the same surgical procedures with no cla mpings in both models were done (Control-LR: n = 7, Control-IM: n = 6). The measurement of O-2(-) was performed by our chemiluminescence (CLN) method. In both models, reperfused blood samples were collected before reperfusion , and 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after reperfusion, and CLN was measured. We defi ned the superoxide index (SI) in each individual specimen as post-reperfusi on CLN/pre-reperfusion CLN. The time course of SI in the Control-LR group w as significantly higher than that of SI in the Control-IM group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the time course of SI in the L R group and that of SI in the IM group. Both the limb replant model and iso lated muscle model are applicable for the evaluation of radical formation i n the reperfused stage though there are potential differences between the t wo models caused by the surgical procedures themselves. (C) 2000 The Britis h Association of Plastic Surgeons.