Abstract

Summary
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of combined use of L-carnitine and vitamin C on partially burned skin fl ap in an experimental rat model.
Material/Methods: In the rat dorsal skin, a 10×3 cm fl ap was marked. The most distal 3×3 cm part was burned to full thickness. Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups with 6 animals in each. Group 1 was simply followed up. Group 2 was given 0.5 mg/kg vitamin C per day for 7 days, group 3 100 mg/kg carnitine per day for 7 days, and group 4 both carnitine and vitamin C. On the eighth postoperative
day, the animals were sacrifi ced and examined. The surviving and necrotic areas were determined by macroscopic examination and measured with a planimeter.
Results: The areas of fl ap necrosis were measured. The median surviving areas and areas of fl ap necrosis, respectively, of the groups were: group 1, 16.0 cm2 and 14.0 cm2; group 2, 18.25 cm2 and 11.75 cm2; group 3, 20.0 cm2 and 10 cm2; and group 4, 23.75 cm2 and 6.25 cm2. The surviving areas of the groups were found to be signifi cantly different (p=0.000).
Conclusions: The risk of ischemia-induced necrosis in fl ap attempts made in damaged tissues may be reduced by the combination of two promising agents, L-carnitine and vitamin C. L-carnitine appears to be
the major contributing factor that reduces necrosis, and vitamin C an additive agent.

Keywords: Ascorbic Acid - therapeutic use, Carnitine - therapeutic use, Antioxidants - therapeutic use, Ascorbic Acid - therapeutic use, Burns - drug therapy, Carnitine - therapeutic use, Skin - pathology, Surgical Flaps