<< Back to the abstract archive
The Role of Necrostatins in Skin Necrosis.
Eric Wimmers, Gerald Brandacher, W.P. Andrew Lee
University of Pittsburgh
2010-03-31
Presenter: Eric Wimmers
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Necrosis has been traditionally viewed as an incidental and unregulated cellular event. However, recent accumulating evidence suggests that like apoptosis, necrosis can be executed by regulated mechanisms. The existence of complex molecular pathways mediating programmed necrosis is termed necroptosis. Pharmacologic agents aimed at inhibiting or disrupting the necroptotic pathway such as necrostatins would have the potential to slow, diminish the extent of, or halt tissue necrosis due to direct or indirect injury. These agents could have enormous and particular clinical relevance in wound healing, free tissue transfer, and organ transplant. To investigate the role of necrostatins in skin necrosis, we employ bilateral flank skin flaps in a rabbit model. Two parallel, flank-based, para-midline axial-patterned flaps (10 cm x 2.5 cm) are elevated on the dorsum of each rabbit. After fluorsecein injection, digitized images of the skin flaps are obtained, generating a percentage of skin flap ischemia in both control experimental animals. The effect of intravenous necrostatin on skin ischemia will be presented.
