Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a well-recognized challenge in reconstructive flap surgery, often leading to partial or total tissue necrosis. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of lutein—a non-provitamin A carotenoid known for its antioxidant and anti-...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Investigative Surgery |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/08941939.2025.2528341 |
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| author | Ovunc Akdemir Atilla Eyuboglu Emel Oyku Cetin Yigit Uyanikgil |
| author_facet | Ovunc Akdemir Atilla Eyuboglu Emel Oyku Cetin Yigit Uyanikgil |
| author_sort | Ovunc Akdemir |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a well-recognized challenge in reconstructive flap surgery, often leading to partial or total tissue necrosis. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of lutein—a non-provitamin A carotenoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions—against ischemia-reperfusion -induced damage in a rat epigastric flap model.Methods Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either intraperitoneal lutein (0.5 mg/kg) or saline prior to inducing 10 h of ischemia. Flap viability was assessed macroscopically on postoperative day 10, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted to explore underlying mechanisms.Results Compared to controls, lutein-treated animals demonstrated significantly larger flap survival areas (21.18 ± 0.88 cm2 vs. 8.42 ± 1.15 cm2, p < 0.05), lower malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01) and myeloperoxidase levels (p < 0.05), and higher glutathione (p < 0.05) and nitric oxide concentrations (p < 0.01), suggesting reduced oxidative stress and improved vascular function. Histological examination revealed less necrosis, edema, and neutrophil infiltration in the Lutein group, alongside enhanced fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Additionally, increased epidermal thickness and a notable rise in lymphocyte infiltration indicated the potential modulation of the adaptive immune response during repair.Conclusion Taken together, our findings suggest that lutein exerts a multifaceted protective effect on ischemic flap tissue and may serve as a useful adjunct in reconstructive surgery, particularly in settings with high risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Given its safety and supplement status, these preclinical findings support further exploration in human studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7632fd2a846e4e678d7a8a582b0fc4f1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0894-1939 1521-0553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
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| series | Journal of Investigative Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-7632fd2a846e4e678d7a8a582b0fc4f12025-08-20T03:16:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Investigative Surgery0894-19391521-05532025-12-0138110.1080/08941939.2025.2528341Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion InjuryOvunc Akdemir0Atilla Eyuboglu1Emel Oyku Cetin2Yigit Uyanikgil3Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, TurkeyDepartment of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Istanbul Arel University, Istanbul, TurkeyDepartment of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Ege University, Izmir, TurkeyDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Ege University, Izmir, TurkeyBackground Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a well-recognized challenge in reconstructive flap surgery, often leading to partial or total tissue necrosis. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of lutein—a non-provitamin A carotenoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions—against ischemia-reperfusion -induced damage in a rat epigastric flap model.Methods Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either intraperitoneal lutein (0.5 mg/kg) or saline prior to inducing 10 h of ischemia. Flap viability was assessed macroscopically on postoperative day 10, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted to explore underlying mechanisms.Results Compared to controls, lutein-treated animals demonstrated significantly larger flap survival areas (21.18 ± 0.88 cm2 vs. 8.42 ± 1.15 cm2, p < 0.05), lower malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01) and myeloperoxidase levels (p < 0.05), and higher glutathione (p < 0.05) and nitric oxide concentrations (p < 0.01), suggesting reduced oxidative stress and improved vascular function. Histological examination revealed less necrosis, edema, and neutrophil infiltration in the Lutein group, alongside enhanced fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Additionally, increased epidermal thickness and a notable rise in lymphocyte infiltration indicated the potential modulation of the adaptive immune response during repair.Conclusion Taken together, our findings suggest that lutein exerts a multifaceted protective effect on ischemic flap tissue and may serve as a useful adjunct in reconstructive surgery, particularly in settings with high risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Given its safety and supplement status, these preclinical findings support further exploration in human studies.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/08941939.2025.2528341Luteinischemia-reperfusion injuryflap surgeryantioxidant therapytissue regeneration |
| spellingShingle | Ovunc Akdemir Atilla Eyuboglu Emel Oyku Cetin Yigit Uyanikgil Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Journal of Investigative Surgery Lutein ischemia-reperfusion injury flap surgery antioxidant therapy tissue regeneration |
| title | Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury |
| title_full | Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury |
| title_fullStr | Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury |
| title_short | Lutein Protects Ischemic Skin Flaps via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury |
| title_sort | lutein protects ischemic skin flaps via antioxidant and anti inflammatory mechanisms in a rat model of ischemia reperfusion injury |
| topic | Lutein ischemia-reperfusion injury flap surgery antioxidant therapy tissue regeneration |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/08941939.2025.2528341 |
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