Preventive Effects of Antioxidants on Muscle Atrophy Induced by Ischemic Reperfusion

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine whether muscle atrophy induced by ischemic reperfusion injury in rats can be prevented by the administration of antioxidants. [Subjects] Rats were randomly divided into three groups: the non-treated group, vitamin C group, and vitamin E group. [Methods] Ischemia was induced in the right lower limb a pressure of 300 mmHg for 90 minutes.Vitamin injections were administered six times from just prior to the induction of ischemia until 60 hours after the reperfusion. The relative weight ratio of the soleus muscle and the length of the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axes were used for the evaluation of muscle atrophy, and biochemical analyses of the creatine phosphokinase and total glutathione levels were also performed. [Results] The relative weight ratios of the soleus muscle and the lengths of the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axis in the vitamin C group and the vitamin E group were significantly greater than those in the non-treated group. In comparison with the non-treated group, the total glutathione level showed a tendency to be higher in the vitamin C group and was significantly higher in the vitamin E group. [Conclusion] In this study, using an experimental rat model, we confirmed that antioxidants prevent the muscle atrophy induced by ischemic reperfusion.