Beneficial effects of Xuebijing injection on random skin flap survival in rats

BackgroundImproving survival of random skin flaps has important implications of reconstruction, and various kinds of agents have been tested for this purpose. In this study, the effects of Xuebijing (XBJ) injection on random skin flap survival in rats were evaluated.Materials and methodsMcFarlane flaps were established in 40 rats divided into two groups. XBJ was injected into the test group, and the same concentration of saline was injected into controls. Tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemically evaluated, and the survival area of the flaps, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde contents were examined.ResultsCompared with the control group, we found the mean survival area of the flaps in the test group was significantly larger, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and superoxide dismutase activity increased markedly in the test group, malondialdehyde level in the test group was significantly lower, and the hematoxylin and eosin–stained slices showed that inflammation was clearly inhibited in the test group.ConclusionsIn summary, XBJ improved survival of random skin flaps.