Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a phenomenon that affects transplant survival. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of IRI in isogenic and allogeneic muscle and skin transplantation models exposed to prolonged warm ischemia.
Methods: Forty-eight Lewis rats and 16 Brown-Norway rats were used to create four groups: Isogenic Inguinal Flap Transplantation (IST), Isogenic Gastrocnemius Muscle Flap Transplantation (IMT), Allogeneic Inguinal Flap Transplantation (AST), and Allogeneic Gastrocnemius Muscle Flap Transplantation (AMT). Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured on postoperative days 1, 7, 21, 35, 63, 100, and 120 in all groups. Donor-specific chimerism (DSC) in peripheral blood was evaluated in the allogeneic groups on postoperative days 7, 21, 35, 63, 100, and 120. The microRNA-21 and microRNA-205 levels were evaluated on postoperative days 1, 7, and 120 in all groups. At the end of the study, a histopathological examination was performed.
Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of MDA and SOD levels. DSC was detected in the AMT group. A significant increase in microRNA-205 was observed, especially in the AMT group. There was no significant difference in the number of functional muscle units between the muscle transplantation groups.
Conclusion: The presence of DSC in the AMT group and the lack of a significant difference in the number of functional muscle units in the IMT and AMT groups are noteworthy findings.