Apocynin and dimethyl sulfoxide synergistically protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat hind limb ischemia-reperfusion model

Abstract

Background Acute ischemia and reperfusion in extremities ignite a complicated inflammatory cycle and lead to damage in the extremities and target tissues. Methods Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Each experimental group contained eight rats. Group 1 was the sham surgery group. Group 2 was the control I/R group with intraperitoneal serum physiologic (SP) treatment. Group 3 was the I/R group with vehicle treatment (8% DMSO). Group 4 was the I/R group with 20 mg/kg apocynin (vehicle 8% DMSO). The potential protective effects of apocynin and vehicle (DMSO) in the rat hind limb ischemia-reperfusion model were evaluated by measuring the levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in muscle tissue. Results The results revealed that both apocynin and vehicle (DMSO) alone increased the antioxidative capacity of ischemic tissue and reduced the levels of plasma proinflammatory cytokines compared to control I/R group. There was a statically more significant effect in the apocynin (vehicle 8% DMSO)-treated group 4. Conclusions We observed that apocynin and DMSO synergistically prevent the I/R injury in rat hind limb ischemia-reperfusion injury model and meaningfully decrease the inflammatory parameters.