Frontiers in Pharmacology (Oct 2018)

Salvianolic Acid B Promotes the Survival of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps in Rats by Inducing Autophagy

  • Jinti Lin,
  • Jinti Lin,
  • Jinti Lin,
  • Renjin Lin,
  • Renjin Lin,
  • Renjin Lin,
  • Shihen Li,
  • Shihen Li,
  • Shihen Li,
  • Hongqiang Wu,
  • Hongqiang Wu,
  • Hongqiang Wu,
  • Jian Ding,
  • Jian Ding,
  • Jian Ding,
  • Guangheng Xiang,
  • Guangheng Xiang,
  • Guangheng Xiang,
  • Shi Li,
  • Shi Li,
  • Shi Li,
  • Yiru Wang,
  • Dingsheng Lin,
  • Dingsheng Lin,
  • Dingsheng Lin,
  • Weiyang Gao,
  • Weiyang Gao,
  • Weiyang Gao,
  • Jianzhong Kong,
  • Jianzhong Kong,
  • Jianzhong Kong,
  • Huazi Xu,
  • Huazi Xu,
  • Huazi Xu,
  • Kailiang Zhou,
  • Kailiang Zhou,
  • Kailiang Zhou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01178
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

Read online

Random-pattern skin flap transplantation is frequently applied in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, the distal part of the flap often suffers necrosis due to ischemia. In this study, the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on flap survival were evaluated, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Sal B improved the survival area, reduced tissue edema, and increased the number of microvessels in skin flaps after 7 days, whereas an autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) reversed the Sal B-induced increase in flap viability. In addition, Sal B stimulated angiogenesis, inhibited apoptosis, reduced oxidative stress, and upregulated autophagy in areas of ischemia. Moreover, the effects of Sal B on angiogenesis, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were reversed by autophagy inhibition. Overall, our findings suggest that Sal B has pro-angiogenesis, anti-apoptosis, and anti-oxidative stress effects by stimulating autophagy, which enhances the survival of random-pattern skin flaps.

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