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J Reconstr Microsurg 2004; 20(3): 253-259
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-823113
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Comparison of Six Methods for the Assessment of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Skeletal Muscle following Composite Tissue Allotransplantation

Steffen P. Baumeister1 , Nina Ofer1 , Christian Kleist2 , Martin Rebel3 , Bernd Dohler2 , Peter Terness2 , Martha Maria Gebhard3 , Guenter Germann1
  • 1Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center, Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Institute of Immunology, Department of Transplantation Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3Institute of Kapital Pathology, Clinic of Ludwigshafen, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: 23 September 2003

Publication Date:
16 April 2004 (online)

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Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the factors determining tissue survival in replantation and transplantation surgery. However, more than 20 methods have been used to evaluate I/R injury in muscle. The aim of this study was to examine I/R injury in muscle tissue in a model of composite tissue allotransplantation (rat hindlimb transplantation), based on the analyses of six parameters: nitroblue tetrazolium staining (NBT); histology of the anterior tibial and extensor digitorum muscle; wet-to-dry weight ratio; serum potassium; and serum creatine kinase (CK)), in order to identify the most practicable and reliable outcome parameter. Results demonstrated that NBT staining and the wet/dry weight ratio are reliable tools for outcome measurement. The wet/dry weight ratio is the easiest to perform and the authors consider it to be useful for screening purposes. Histologic assessment shows areas of necrosis, but is not a reliable method for semi-quantitative evaluation. Serum potassium and CK levels were higher following transplantation, but they cannot be recommended for assessment purposes, as no significant correlation with other parameters was seen. These findings help further researchers in their selection of reliable outcome parameters to measure I/R injury in skeletal muscle.

KEYWORDS

Ischemia-reperfusion injury - nitroblue tetrazolium - hindlimb transplantation

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Steffen P BaumeisterM.D. 

BG-Unfalklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmanstr. 13

67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany