Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Post-treatment with metformin improves random skin flap survival through promoting angiogenesis in rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mojtaba Karimipour 1
Gholam Hossein Farjah 1, 2
Morteza Hassanzadeh 1
Masoumeh Zirak Javanmard 1

1 Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

2 Neurosciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2020.124592.2917
Abstract
Skin flap necrosis has been remained as an unsolved problem in plastic and reconstructive surgeries. Here, we explored the effects of metformin post-treatment on random skin flap survival in rats. An 8.00 × 2.00 cm dorsal skin flap was created in 24 rats and they were then divided into three groups (n = 8) including Control, metformin (Met) 50.00 mg kg-1 and Met 100 mg kg-1. All animals were administrated orally until seven days after flap surgery. Flap survival, the number of blood vessels and mast cells in the flap tissues were analyzed. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels in flap tissues was also determined using immunohistochemical methods. The percentage of survival area in Met 50.00 mg kg-1 and Met 100 mg kg-1 groups were significantly higher compared to control. The blood vessel density and the VEGF positive cells in the viable areas of flaps showed a significant increase in Met 50.00 mg kg-1 group compared to control group. The results of this study suggested that treatment with metformin, especially with low dose following skin flap surgery was effective in improving the flap survival and increasing the neovascularization in the flaps tissues of rats.

Keywords

Metformin
Rat
Skin Flap
Survival
Vascular endothelial growth factor
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 13, Issue 2
Spring 2022
Pages 233-239

  • Receive Date 13 April 2020
  • Revise Date 16 June 2020
  • Accept Date 28 June 2020

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