Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Histology

Background: Oxytocin, Dexmedetomidine (DEX) and vitamin E have antioxidant effect and several studies have shown their protective effect against ischemia reperfusion in several organs. The present study aims to evaluate their possible protective effect against skeletal muscle ischemia reperfusion injury. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into 2 groups; Control group and Ischemia reperfusion (IR) group, the lattergroup was subdivided into 4 subgroups: untreated (BI), oxytocin treated (BII), DEX treated (BIII) and vitamin E treated (BIV) subgroups.Control group didn{u2019}t undergo ischemia reperfusion injury. In the IR group lower limb ischemia was induced by clamping the femoral artey. After 4 h of ischemia, the clamp was removed to allow reperfusion coinciding with injection of one of the following drugs [saline, Oxytocin (0.5æg/kg), DEX (25æg/kg) and Vitamin E (10mg/kg)] in different subgroups. At the end of 2 hours of reperfusion, blood samples were drawn from the femoral vein using heparinized syringes to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Then rats were sacrified after an intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg). Specimens from gastrocnemius muscle were obtainedfor evaluation at light and transmission electron microscopic levels. Cytochrome C and Myogenin immunohistochemistry were applied and statistical analysis was done. Results: Serum levels of SOD and GSH were significantly lower in BI, BII and BIII than in control group. A statistically significant increase was reported in BII, BIII and BIV when compared with BI. However, Serum level of MDA was significantly increased in BI, BII and BIII when compared with control group and level of MDA was significantly lower in BII, BIII and BIV versus BI subgroup. The light and electron microscopic findings showed sever muscular damage in untreated IR subgroup, slight protection was detected in oxytocin and DEX treated subgroup and marked protection was seen in vitamin E treated subgroup

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