The Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Flap Viability of Rat Perforator Abdominal Flaps

Keles, Musa K/0000-0003-1915-079X; Demir, Ahmet/0000-0002-8820-3122 WOS: 000374509700003 PubMed: 26919381 Background Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a substance abundant in green tea. In this study, the effects of EGCG on, perforator flap viability were investigated. Methods A total of 40 rats were assigned to four groups of 10 each. In each subject, a 4 x 6 cm abdominal skin flap was raised and adapted back onto its place. In the control group, no further procedures were taken. In the flap group, 40 mg/kg/d EGCG was injected into the flap. In the gavage group, 100 mg/kg/d EGCG was given through a feeding tube. In the intraperitoneal group, 50 mg/kg/d EGCG was injected intraperitoneally. On the 7th postoperative day, flaps were photographed and the viable areas were measured and compared via a one-way analysis of variance. Results The ratios of viable and contracted flap area were 9.15/12.01, 4.59/16.46, 11.56/11.20, and 11.65/10.77 cm(2) for the control, flap group, gavage group, and intraperitoneal group, respectively. While the flap group yielded the worst results in the sense of flap contraction and viability (p < 0.001), the gavage and intraperitoneal groups were significantly better than those of the control group (p = 0.03). Histologically, epidermal, papillary dermal, and capillary tissue volumes were evaluated. In comparison to the control group, the flap group yielded significantly increased epidermal and dermal volumes (p = 0.03), however, these values were significantly decreased (p = 0.04) in the gavage and intraperitoneal groups. Capillary volumes were significantly decreased in EGCG treatment groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion Our experiment has shown that oral and intraperitoneal administration of EGCG increases the perforator flap viability when compared with controls, while direct injection decreases the viability. Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Scientific Research Projects FoundationOndokuz Mayis University [PYO.TIP.1904.13.028] The grant for the study was granted by the Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Scientific Research Projects Foundation (grant no. PYO.TIP.1904.13.028).