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. 2016 Fall;24(3):204-208.
Epub 2016 Aug 19.

Assessing the effects of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine on the McFarlane flap using a rat model

Süphan Tunç  1 , Erol Kesiktas  2 , Yeliz Yilmaz  3 , Arbil Açikalin  4 , Gökçen Oran  2 , Metin Yavuz  2 , Eyüphan Gencel  2 , Cengiz Eser  2
Affiliations

Assessing the effects of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine on the McFarlane flap using a rat model

Süphan Tunç et al. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2016 Fall.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To determine the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and melatonin, alone and in combination, on McFarlane flap viability in a rat model.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups and received daily intraperitoneal injections for one week before surgery: control (sham [n=10]); melatonin (n=10); NAC (n=10); and NAC+melatonin (n=10). One week after surgery, the experiment was terminated and photographs were taken for topographic studies. A transillumination study was performed to observe vascularization in the flaps and biopsies were obtained for histopathological studies.

Results: Flap viability was significantly greater in the antioxidant- (ie, NAC and melatonin) treated groups compared with the control group; however, there were no significant differences among the groups that received antioxidants.

Conclusions: Melatonin and NAC are important antioxidants that can be used alone or in combination to increase flap viability and prevent distal necrosis in rats.

Objectif: Déterminer les effets de la N-acétylcystéine (NAC) et de la mélatonine, seules ou ensemble, sur la viabilité d’un lambeau de type McFarlane dans un modèle de rat.

Méthodologie: Les chercheurs ont réparti 40 rats Wistar en quatre groupes à qui ils ont administré des injections intrapéritonéales quotidiennes pendant une semaine avant l’opération: sujets témoins (n=10), mélatonine (n=10), NAC (n=10) et NAC+mélatonine (n=10). Une semaine après l’opération, ils ont mis fin à l’expérience et pris des photos en vue d’études topographiques. Ils ont réalisé une étude de transillumination pour observer la vascularisation des lambeaux et effectué des biopsies pour mener des études histologiques.

Résultats: La viabilité des lambeaux était beaucoup plus importante dans les groupes traités aux antioxydants (NAC et mélatonine) que dans le groupe témoin. Cependant, les différences n’étaient pas significatives entre les divers groupes qui avaient reçu des antioxydants.

Conclusions: La mélatonine et la NAC sont d’importants antioxydants qu’on peut utiliser seuls ou ensemble pour accroître la viabilité des lambeaux et prévenir la nécrose distale chez les rats.

Keywords: Antioxidant; McFarlane flap; Melatonin; N-acetylcysteine; NAC.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A to D Area of necrosis in the four experimental groups. NAC N-acetylcysteine
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of necrosis in the control and treatment groups. NAC N-acetylcysteine
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histopathological examination showing full-thickness necrosis in the control group (A), superficial necrosis in the melatonin group (B), and focal necrotic areas in the N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and NAC+melatonin groups (arrow) (C) (Scale bar: 10 μm)
Figure 4
Figure 4
The control group showed significantly increased levels of inflammation (arrow) and edema (A), while vessel proliferation (white arrows) was significantly decreased compared with the treatment groups (B). Hematoxylin and eosin stain (Scale bar: 10 μm)
Figure 5
Figure 5
A to D The extent of vascularization was assessed by examining transilluminated flaps. NAC N-acetylcysteine
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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