Edaravone suppresses postoperative reperfusion injury in rat lower extremity: An immunohistological study

Abstract

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated whether the free radical scavenger edaravone (Radicut [Mitsubishi Pharma Co, Japan]) can suppress lower extremity postoperative reperfusion injury by evaluating muscle cell viability with immunohistological stain (cytochrome c oxidase stain).

METHODS: Eight Lewis male rats (460 g to 510 g) were divided into two groups. In the control group, postoperative reperfusion injury models were created by clamping the bilateral common femoral arteries for 5 h and then releasing. In the other group, 9.0 mg/kg of edaravone was administered before clamping the bilateral common femoral arteries. After 5 h of reperfusion, the bilateral triceps muscles in both groups were stained with cytochrome c oxidase stain (each n=4× 2). The positive areas of cytochrome c oxidase stain were measured and compared, using computerized densitometry (National Institutes of Health Image program, version 1.61).

RESULTS: In the control group, the lower triceps muscles were not stained with cytochrome c oxidase. In the edaravone group, the lower triceps muscles were strongly stained with cytochrome c oxidase. The positive areas of cytochrome c oxidase stain were significantly greater in the edaravone group (133,000×12,000 μ2/mm2, P<0.01) compared with the control group (8000×1300 μ2/mm2).

CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the preoperative administration of 9.0 mg/kg of edaravone may suppress postoperative reperfusion injury in a rat model.