A novel use of methimazole to ameliorate reperfusion injury

摘要

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury in skin/muscle flaps may account for partial or total flap loss with no apparent cause. The injury attributed to plugging of the microvas-culature by neutrophils may initiate the cascade of injury by releasing free radicals, enzymes and cytokines and physically injuring the endothelium and obstructing the capillaries, thus impairing oxygen supply to the tissue. Also, transendothelial migration of neutrophils, with release of reactive oxygen species and cytokines, causes further damage to the injured tissue. However, a key component in the pathogenesis of reperfusion syndrome is the upregulation of surface adhesion molecules on the vascular endothelium and their subsequent interaction with the activated neutrophils.