Objective: This study was to investigate the role of leukocyte and leukocyte adhesion in tissue injury from ischemia and reperfusion.
Methods: The experiment utilized the monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed to the leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein CD18 to block leukocyte adhesion and aggregation in an island flap model in rats. Tissue content of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected after transient treatment with either saline or mAb directed to CD18. Flap survival was assessed 7 days afterwards.
Results: The content of both MPO and MDA was significantly increased with 8 h ischemia and 1 h reperfusion of the flap. The treatment with anti-CD18 mAb significantly decreased the levels of MPO and MDA and also significantly improved the survival of flaps compared with the saline-treated controls.
Conclusion: CD18-mediated leukocyte adhesion plays an important role in tissue injury from ischemia and reperfusion. Blocking leukocyte adhesion can attenuate leukocyte-mediated injury, providing protective effects on island flaps.