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. 2018 Aug;21(8):842-847.
doi: 10.22038/IJBMS.2018.29629.7153.

Oral administration of alanyl-glutamine and glutamine improve random pattern dorsal skin flap survival in rats

Mojtaba Karimipour  1 , Morteza Hassanzadeh  1 , Masoumeh Zirak Javanmard  1 , Gholamhossein Farjah  2
Affiliations

Oral administration of alanyl-glutamine and glutamine improve random pattern dorsal skin flap survival in rats

Mojtaba Karimipour et al. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Skin flap necrosis is the most common postoperative side effect in reconstructive surgeries. Glutamine (GLN) has been shown to accelerate wound healing process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of GLN either in free form or in the dipeptide form along with L- alanyl (Ala-GLN) on random skin flaps survival in rats.

Materials and methods: Dorsal skin flaps with caudal bases (8 ×2 cm) were established in 24 adult male Wistar rats. Then, the animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=8). Control, GLN (0.75 g/kg) and Ala-GLN (0.75 g/kg). All groups administrated orally 24 and 6 hr before flap elevation and continued repeatedly daily until 7 days postoperation. The flap survival rate and vascular density using histological analysis were evaluated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunohistochemical method was determined.

Results: Seven days after surgery, the mean surviving area in the GLN and Ala-GLN groups were significantly greater than in the untreated control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, in comparison with the control group, the number of blood vessels and VEGF-positive cells in treated groups with GLN and Ala-GLN were significantly higher. However, no significant differences were observed between treated groups with GLN and Ala-GLN.

Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that oral administration of GLN in free form or in the dipeptide (Ala-GLN) could promote neovascularization and improve skin flap survival in rats.

Keywords: Alanyl-glutamine; Flap; Glutamine; Rats; Survival; VEGF.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Digital photographs of random –pattern dorsal skin flaps 7 days after surgery.(A) control group; (B) glutamine group; and (C) alanyl-glutamine group.The arrows showing the necrotic areas
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mean ± SD of the percentage of flap survival in different groups
Figure 3
Figure 3
Blood vessels in the flap tissue of different groups on seventh postoperative day in the slides stained with H&E. (A) Control group; (B) Glutamine (GLN) group; and (C) Alanyl-glutamine (Ala-GLN ) group. The arrows showing vessels. Original magnification 100Χ; (D) The mean ± SD of blood vessel number in groups
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photographs of Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF in flap tissue in different groups. (A) Control group; (B) Glutamine group; and (C) Alanyl-glutamine group. The arrows showing VEGF positive cells. Original magnification 400Χ. (D) The mean ± SD of VEGF positive cells at seven days after flap creation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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