Metformin improves skin flap survival through nitric oxide system

Abstract

Background: Metformin has shown cardioprotective effects in experimental models of ischemia reperfusion, which is partially mediated through nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. We investigated the effects of metformin pretreatment in a rat model of random-pattern skin flap, and the probable role of NO system.

Materials and methods: In the first experiment, the rats received increasing doses of metformin (150, 200, and 300 mg/kg), 4 h before the procedure. Dorsal skin flaps with caudal pedicles were elevated at the midline and flap survival was measured 7 d after surgery. Pathologic review of the skin flap specimen was performed in a subset of animals. In the second experiment, for evaluation of the role of NO, an NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) was administered with and without the effective dose of metformin. In the next experiment, subtherapeutic dose of NO precursor, L-Arginine, was administered with and without subeffective dose of metformin.

Results: Metformin pretreatment at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg significantly increased skin flap survival rate. However, administration of L-NAME abolished the protective effects of metformin. On the other hand, subtherapeutic dose of L-arginine augmented the effects of low-dose metformin and significantly increased skin flap survival. Skin flaps from those rats that received 300 mg/kg metformin pretreatment and those treated with subtherapeutic doses of L-arginine and metformin showed increased vasodilation compared with control group.

Conclusions: Metformin pretreatment can improve skin flap survival through an NO dependent pathway.

Keywords: Metformin; Nitric oxide; Preconditioning; Skin flap.