The role of nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase in the protective effect of hypothermia in ischemia-reperfusion injury

Russell Ward, Nicholas Souder, Daniel Stahl, Felicia Hunter, Robert Probe, Christopher Chaput, Ed Childs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury plays an important role in limb salvage following limb ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of local hypothermia and chemical modulators on microvascular permeability following ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into nine groups. Postcapillary venules of the extensor digitorum longus muscle were visualized with use of intravital microscopy. Following an intravenous bolus of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin, the intravascular and extravascular space was examined for leak. Rats in the sham group underwent a one-hour mock ischemic period without the application of a femoral artery tourniquet, followed by one hour of mock reperfusion. The treatment groups (n = 5 in each group) had the tourniquet applied for one hour, followed by one hour of reperfusion at 10°C (cold) alone, at 10°C with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, at 10°C with heme oxygenase inhibitor, at 10°C with a combination of inhibitors, at 34°C (warm) alone, at 34°C with a heme oxygenase inducer, at 34°C with a nitric oxide synthase inducer, or at 34°C with a combination of inducers. Results: Rats in the sham group did not show a significant increase in microvascular permeability. Rats in the warm ischemia/reperfusion group displayed significant increases in microvascular permeability, as did the rats that received inhibitors of heme oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase at 10°C. No significant increase in microvascular permeability was observed in the animals in the cold ischemia/reperfusion group or in animals that received inducers of heme oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase at 34°C. Conclusions: Local hypothermia protects skeletal muscle from increased microvascular permeability following ischemia-reperfusion injury. This protective effect is also seen with the induction of the nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase systems at physiologic temperature. We also have shown that the protective effects of hypothermia are blocked by giving heme oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors while keeping the muscle hypothermic. These findings demonstrate that heme oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase play a combined role in ischemia-reperfusion injury, suggesting possible pathways for clinical intervention to modulate injury seen following trauma, tourniquet use, vascular surgery, and microvascular surgery. Clinical Relevance: The present study provides evidence for the use of local hypothermia following ischemiareperfusion-related tissue injury and provides biochemical insight for future pharmacologic intervention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2637-2645
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume91
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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