Journal of reconstructive microsurgery
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · Jan 1994
The effect of pentoxifylline on ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rat cremaster muscle.
The accumulation of leukocytes is believed to contribute to reperfusion injury following ischemia. The purpose of this study was to determine if pentoxifylline (PTX) would ameliorate reperfusion injury by preventing activation of leukocytes. Male Wistar rats received 40 mg/kg of PTX orally in water for 6 days, and a single dose of PTX (30 mg/kg) intraarterially before experiments. ⋯ There were no significant differences in arteriolar diameter or density of flowing capillaries between the two groups at any time. Treatment with PTX prevented accumulation of rolling and sticking leukocytes following reperfusion. This may contribute to the improved arteriolar blood flow following 2 hr of ischemia.