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Effect of long‐term application of epinephrine on rat skin vasculature: Experimental study
Author(s) -
Karacaoğlu Ercan,
Çermik Hakan,
Yurdun Türkan,
Zienowicz Richard J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.10055
Subject(s) - epinephrine , medicine , vasoconstriction , saline , anesthesia , h&e stain , hemostasis , pharmacology , immunohistochemistry
As a potent vasoconstrictor, epinephrine is used ubiquitously in plastic surgery. It is typically delivered subcutaneously in very low concentrations over a brief time interval. We are aware of no reports describing the long‐term release of epinephrine as an independent agent to the soft tissues for the purpose of causing prolonged local vasoconstriction. This study was designed to address two goals: first, to investigate the effect of long‐term local release of epinephrine from a drug delivery system on rat abdominal skin vasculature; secondly, to evaluate the pharmacological properties of this drug delivery system (DDS). Thirty male Sprague‐Dawley rats, weighing 300–400 g, were included in the study. Animals were subdivided into two groups of 15 each. Group A (control group) and Group B (experimental group) were treated with saline and epinephrine‐loaded microspheres (msps), respectively. The manufacturing process and formulation studies of the DDS are described. In vivo assays revealed a 7‐day sustained release of epinephrine. After 7 days, neither residual nor supraphysiologic release of epinephrine was shown with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Histological studies with hematoxylin‐eosin and periodic acid Schiff revealed a statistically significant increase in number of vessels as well as their diameter and wall thickness (P <0.05). Epinephrine release via this msp/DDS predictably induces local vasoconstriction over a time sequence known to be optimally associated with hypoxia and promotion of vascular augmentation. This model can be valuable in sustaining hemostasis during long‐lasting (more than a few hours) surgical procedures by its long‐acting vasoconstructive effect. The system's ability to intentionally cause vascular augmentation also bodes great potential in flap and graft surgery. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:288–294 2002