The effects of oral β-glucan on ischemic skin flap in rats

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of β-glucan and the ability of β-glucan to reduce distal necrosis in a random skin flap in the rat.

Materials and Methods: The present study utilised 14 adult female Wistar rats distributed at random into two groups of seven animals. Group A was set as the control group, in which the subjects received only water and food. In group B, subjects daily received β-glucan (200 mg/kg/day) per oral, starting 5 days prior to surgery, and continued until the second postoperative day. Random pattern skin flaps were cut and sutured on the back of the animals. On the seventh postoperative day, the percentage of distal necrosis was determined and skin samples 2 and 5 cm from the wound were collected in order to determine malondialdehyde levels and for histopathological examinations.

Results: The mean necrotic areas in the control and β-glucan groups were 3.91±1.38 cm² and 1.13±0.88 cm², respectively (p<0.001). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in skin samples which were collected from the control group as compared to samples obtained from β-glucan rats (2 cm in the control group, 2.5±1.13; 5 cm in the control group, 2.7±2.19; 2 cm in the β-glucan group 0.9±0.56; 5 cm in the β-glucan group, 1.2±1.07; 2 and 5 cm, p<0.02 and p<0.123, respectively). Histopathologically, a significant increase in macrophage and fibroblast activity was observed in the β-glucan group. The histopathological evaluation in the β-glucan group revealed the protective effects of this intervention. β-Glucan treated rats showed decreased skin flap necrosis when compared with untreated animals.

Conclusion: This study revealed the importance of β-glucan for random skin flap viability.