Beneficial Effects of Phosphatidylcholine During Hindlimb Reperfusion

Gera, László; Varga, Renáta; Török, László; Kaszaki, József; Szabó, Andrea; Nagy, Katalin; Boros, Mihály

doi:10.1016/j.jss.2006.08.004

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Volume 139, Issue 1 , Pages 45-50, 1 May 2007

Beneficial Effects of Phosphatidylcholine During Hindlimb Reperfusion

László Gera, M.D.
- Department of Traumatology, Kecskemét County Hospital, Kecskemét, Hungary
- Institute of Surgical Research, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Renáta Varga, M.D.
- Institute of Surgical Research, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
László Török, M.D.
- Department of Traumatology, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
József Kaszaki, Ph.D.
- Institute of Surgical Research, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Andrea Szabó, M.D., Ph.D.
- Institute of Surgical Research, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Katalin Nagy, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Mihály Boros, M.D., Ph.D.
- Institute of Surgical Research, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed at Institute of Surgical Research, University of Szeged, Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical and Pharmaceutical Center, Pécsi u. 4., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.

Received 20 April 2006 published online 03 February 2007.

Background

Microcirculatory dysfunctions and mast cell (MC) reactions play important roles in hypoxic tissue injuries. The aims of this study were to characterize the effects of hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) on the periosteal microcirculation and to define the consequences of systemic phosphatidylcholine (PC) therapy during this condition.

Materials and methods

Microcirculatory changes were visualized by means of fluorescence intravital videomicroscopy in anesthetized Wistar rats. There was 60 min of complete hindlimb ischemia followed by a 180-min reperfusion in the presence of PC treatment (50 mg/kg i.v.; in the second 10 min of reperfusion) or vehicle. Further two groups served as vehicle- or PC-treated sham-operated controls. The proportion of degranulated MCs and the leukocyte accumulation (myeloperoxidase, MPO assay) were determined in muscle biopsies.

Results

I-R significantly increased the muscle MPO activity (from 14.94 to 63.45 mU/mg) and the proportion of degranulated MCs (to 82.5%). The periosteal capillary RBC velocity (RBCV) and the functional capillary density (FCD) had decreased, while the primary and secondary leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions had increased by the end of reperfusion (rolling from 20.8 to 40.0%, and firm adherence from 254 to 872 mm⁻²). PC treatment decreased the leukocyte rolling and sticking, preserved the FCD and improved the RBCV. The MC degranulation and MPO activity diminished significantly in the muscle layer.

Conclusions

PC administration improves I-R-induced periosteal microcirculatory dysfunctions and ameliorates secondary inflammatory reactions. Systemic PC treatment could offer a potential treatment modality during hypoperfusion or inflammatory conditions of the bones.

Key Words: mast cell, leukocyte, periosteum, videomicroscopy, rat