ABSTRACT

Rosiglitazone, a peroksisome proliferator activated receptor-γ agonist, is an oral antidiabetic agent that decreases inflammation, free oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation. This study was planned to evaluate the effects of rosiglitazone on flap viability in diabetic and nondiabetic rats.

32 rats (16 non-diabetic, 16 diabetic after alloxan injection) were included in the study and randomized as control and Rosiglitazone groups. 4 days before the operation, Rosiglitazone treatment were begun to rosiglitazone group and the treatment was continued until the 7 th postoperative day. Laser Doppler recordings were made from two points on the planned skin flap, before the flap elevation, just after the flap elevation and at the postoperative 7th day. Flaps were photographed and necrosis % was calculated. Full thickness biopsies were examined for leukocyte count determinations.

Blood glucose levels were not changed by rosiglitazone therapy. Necrosis percentages of diabetic and non-diabetic rats were significantly reduced by rosiglitazone therapy while necrosis % was similar between the diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In both diabetic and non-diabetic groups preoperative laser Doppler recordings were similar in rosiglitazone or control groups, whereas recordings were significantly higher in the rosiglitazone group at the postoperative 7th day. Non-diabetic rats on rosiglitazone had lower leukocyte counts than those on placebo, but this difference was not seen in the diabetic group. Rosiglitazone improved flap viability in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats. This effect of rosiglitazone was independent of its blood glucose lowering effect.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, flap viability, laser Doppler flow meter, necrosis, rosiglitazone