Effects of Different Limb Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning on Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury in an Acute Left Anterior Descending Artery Occlusion Rat Model

BackgroundThe aim is to compare effects of three different protocols of limb remote ischaemic preconditioning (LRIP) on ischaemia reperfusion injury in an acute left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion model rat.MethodsForty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: group A, control; group B, LRIP in bilateral upper-limb (BUL) IP; group C, LRIP in bilateral lower-limb (BLL) IP; group D, LRIP in bilateral upper and lower limbs (ULL) IP. The 60 min ligation and 180 min reperfusion in LAD were applied to all rats. Limb remote ischaemic preconditioning was performed using 5 min occlusion and 15 min reperfusion (six cycles). Heart rate, blood pressure and electrogastrography (EGG) were recorded. Creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) level and infarct size were measured.ResultsLimb remote ischaemic preconditioning did not significantly affect heart rate, systolic blood pressure and arrhythmia score. However, LRIP significantly increased DBP value and decreased CK-MB levels and infarct size in group B, C, and D. Moreover, LRIP in ULL had a significantly better effect on reducing infarct size than LRIP in BUL and BLL.ConclusionsLimb remote ischaemic preconditioning at limbs could significantly reduce reperfusion injury in the heart. Moreover, LRIP in ULL indicated a better effect in reducing infarct size than LRIP in BUL and BLL.