Investigation on the microcirculation effect of local application of natural hirudin on porcine random skin flap venous congestion
Experimental study published in Cell Biochem Biophys (2012)
Abstract
Medicinal leech therapy is commonly used to treat venous congestion by local application to skin flaps, which are frequently employed in re-construction surgery. In the present study, we investigated the effect of natural hirudin, which was applied locally to treat the venous congestion, in random skin flaps in a Guangxi Bama miniature pig model. The congestive random skin flaps were divided into 3 groups: Group A (control group that was locally applied with saline), Group B (locally applied with 20ATU natural hirudin per each flap), Group C (locally applied with 40ATU natural hirudin per each flap). The microcirculatory changes were observed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The level of MPO, MDA and SOD activities in the tissue in hirudin-treated groups was significantly different compared with control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group B and group C. At 12 days, as compared to the control group, flap survival rate in hirudin-treated groups was significantly different (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the groups receiving two different doses of hirudin. Natural hirudin can improve microcirculation by inhibiting oxygen free radical damage and also improve flap survival time.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Natural hirudin (20 and 40 ATU) applied locally on porcine random skin flap venous congestion significantly improved microcirculation (MPO, MDA, SOD) and flap survival at 12 days versus saline control.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio evaluó la aplicación local de hirudina natural para tratar la congestión venosa en colgajos cutáneos aleatorios utilizando un modelo de cerdo miniatura Bama de Guangxi, comparando un control salino frente a dos dosis de hirudina (20 ATU y 40 ATU por colgajo). Los grupos tratados con hirudina mostraron mejoras significativas en los niveles tisulares de mieloperoxidasa, malondialdehído y superóxido dismutasa, así como tasas de supervivencia del colgajo significativamente mejores a los 12 días en comparación con los controles, sin diferencia significativa entre las dos dosis de hirudina. Esta investigación es relevante para la hirudoterapia, ya que explora un componente purificado del secretoma de la sanguijuela aplicado de forma independiente del organismo completo, lo que sugiere que la hirudina mejora la microcirculación en parte mediante la inhibición del daño por radicales libres de oxígeno. Se trata de un estudio en modelo animal y, aunque los resultados son alentadores, los hallazgos no se han replicado en humanos, y la aplicación tópica de hirudina difiere mecanísticamente de la terapia con sanguijuela completa.
Citación
Investigation on the microcirculation effect of local application of natural hirudin on porcine random skin flap venous congestion.
Yin GQ et al. · Cell biochemistry and biophysics, 2012
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026