Skeletal Muscle Tissue Oxygen Pressure Distribution During Early Reperfusion After Prolonged Ischaemia

Abstract 

Objectivesthe aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal muscle tissue oxygen pressure (P_tO₂) distributions during early reperfusion (10–45 min) after prolonged ischaemia in a rat animal model.Material and methodsskeletal muscle ischaemia was induced in anaesthetised rats by applying a tourniquet on the left thigh for 3 h (group I) or 4 h (group II), and tissue oxygen pressure measurements were made after 10–45 min of reperfusion. Assessment of P_tO₂was made by a multiwire Clark-type oxygen microelectrode, placed on the surface of the left tibialis anterior muscle.Resultsduring reperfusion a similar P_tO₂pattern was evaluated after both 3 and 4 h of total ischaemia, where the sum P_tO₂distributions were shifted to the left associated with low tissue oxygen pressure values. After 10 min of reperfusion the median P_tO₂was 0.28 kPa and 0.18 kPa, in groups I and II, respectively; after 45 min of reperfusion 0.61 kPa and 0.60 kPa, respectively. The median P_tO₂in the non-ischaemic muscle in groups I and II were 2.19 and 2.17 Pa.Conclusionthe results show that local skeletal muscle oxygenation is severely impaired during the initial 45 min of reperfusion after both 3 and 4 h of total muscle ischaemia with a slow-reflow phenomenon generally present, despite pronounced needs.

Keywords: ischaemia, reperfusion injury, skeletal muscle, tissue oxygenation.

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• f1 Please address all correspondence to: A. Sirsjö, Cardiovascular Research Unite, Center for Molecular Medicine, L8:03 Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.