Biochemical Effects of Exercise on a Fasciocutaneous Flap in a Rat Model

Abstract

IMPORTANCE An overwhelming amount of data suggest that cardiovascular exercise has a positive effect on the mind and body, although the precise mechanism is not always clear.OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical and biochemical effects of voluntary cardiovascular exercise on pedicled flaps in a rodent model. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSEighteen adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into a resting animal group (RAG) (n=9) and an exercise animal group (EAG) (n=9) for 14 days (July 23, 2013, through July 30, 2013. A pedicled transposition flap was performed on the ventral surface of the rat, and biopsy specimens were taken from the proximal, middle, and distal portions on postoperative days 0, 2, 5, and 9. Flap survival was analyzed planimetrically, and biopsy specimens were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin-stained microscopy and immunoblotting. The housing, exercise, surgery, and analysis of the rats were conducted at a single basic science research laboratory at the tertiary care center campus of

Standardized Pre-clinical Surgical Animal Model Protocol to Investigate the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Ischemic Flap Healing

“…While some concerns and debates have been raised regarding poor pre-clinical animal model translation into human clinical trials or routine medical practice [ 130 , 131 ] potentially due to the lack of evaluation of methodology in the surgical animal studies [ 129 , 132 , 133 ], the scientific and didactical value of such models cannot be denied. Animal models have historically been used for basic and applied research, testing the tolerance and efficacy of pre-clinical treatments, implants and medical devices, and toxicity screening during pharmaceutical drug or vaccine development [ 43 , 134 ]. They are essential for exploring cell survival and death mechanisms, as well as learning/training specific techniques and acquiring tissue handling, suture ligation, anastomosis skills, and more [ 135 – 137 ].…”

“…[ 40 – 42 ] or stimulatory responses (e.g. exercise) [ 43 ]. Different routes and/or regimen of single or combined drug administration [ 44 , 45 ], ischemic preconditioning [ 46 , 47 ], delaying [ 48 ] and numerous perioperative flap treatment or handling strategies [ 49 – 53 ] have been evaluated for their efficacy at reducing the risk of compound flap loss.…”

Novel, standardized pre-clinical surgical animal model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ischemic flap healing

“…15). Another example is application of exercise -the pre-surgical animals may be divided into two groups with sedentary and exercise regimen conditions, as described in our previous study using the rotational pedicled fasciocutaneous aps (105).…”