[Changes of platelet mitochondria in rats with tourniquet-induced limb ischemia- reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of platelet mitochondria in rats with tourniquet-induced limb ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

METHODS

Thirty SD rats were randomized equally into 5 groups including a control group and 4 limb IR injury groups for blood sampling at 2, 6, 12, or 24 h following IR injury induced by tourniquet on the thighs for 4 h. Platelet was separated from the blood samples for measurement of ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potentials, plasma cytochrome C level, and hydroperoxides.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the rats with tourniquet-induced limb IR injury showed significantly decreased ATP content, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased plasma cytochrome C and hydroperoxide levels in the platelets at 2 and 6 h following the injury (P<0.05 or 0.01). These alterations recovered partially but remained significantly different from the control levels at 12 h (P<0.05 or 0.01) until full recovery at 24 h. Limb IR injury did not cause significant variations of the platelet counts.

CONCLUSION

Tourniquet-induced limb IR injury can cause mitochondrial damage in the platelets, which occurs mainly in the early stage (6 h) and recovers gradually afterwards without significant impact on platelet counts.