ABSTRACT
Oxygen-derived free radicals have been shown to play an important role in reperfusion
injury. The protective effect of CV-3611, a new free radical scavenger, on reperfusion
injury in an ischemic revascularized hind limb model in rats was examined. Warm ischemia
(25° C) was produced by vascular pedicle clamping and sustained for 0, 3, and 6 hr.
Histologic and fluorochrome bone-labeling analyses demonstrated improved overall viability
of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and marrow cells in the CV-3611-treated group compared
to controls. The CV-3611-treated group had statistically significant improvement in
the ratio of lacunae, maintained osteogenetic ability, and preserved normal growth
plate architecture after 6 hr of ischemia. The control group showed local central
areas of disorganization by 3 hr and complete destruction of the growth plate with
early growth arrest after 6 hr of ischemia. These results indicate that administration
of CV-3611 prior to reperfusion can prevent reperfusion damage in bone tissue and
maintain osteogenetic ability. This technique may have clinical application for reducing
the complications of prolonged ischemia to bone tissue.
