The Effect of Substance P on Skin Flap Survival in Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Skin flap necrosis is a challenging problem in reconstructive surgery. Pharmacologic administration that increases skin flap survaival has been investigated extensively. It has been reported that substance P, a member of tachykinin family neuropetides, stimulates vessel growth in a variety of angiogenesis assays. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of local administration of substance P on skin flap survival in rat model. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups of twelve. Rats were anesthetized, and a skin flap, measuring 10 × 3 cm was designed on the rat dorsum. After local injections of 1ml substance P (100nmol) or normal saline (control) at the distal half, the skin flaps were elevated. Then the flaps were immediately sutured back in situ. 7 days after the flap elevation, survival rate of the flap was calculated and a histological examination was performed. Results: The mean survival rate of flaps in substance P administration group (80.4±7.0%) was significantly higher than that in control group (61.9±6.9%)(p<0.001). Histological observation of the flaps showed increase of vessel number in the group treated with substance P when compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the use of local administration of substance P increases skin flap survival in rats by enhanced vessel number.

-------------------------------- ----- Keywords: Substance P, Skin flap survival, Angiogenesis.

Student number: 2011-23017