The beneficial effects of dichloroacetate in acute limb ischemia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dichloroacetate (DCA) in acute limb ischemia.

METHODS:

Anterior tibialis muscle samples of DCA-treated and control animals (Sprague Dawley rats) were collected and assayed for pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, lactate, adenosine triphosphate, and creatine phosphate using spectrophotometry. A physiograph was used to measure fatigability. In an ischemia/reperfusion model using New Zealand rabbits, serum lactate and end-tidal CO2 were compared. Skeletal muscle was evaluated microscopically for muscle necrosis.

RESULTS:

DCA administration resulted in a 50% increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity (p = 0.025), reversal of the increase in lactate levels seen during acute limb ischemia (p = 0.41), a significant increase in the time to skeletal muscle fatigue (p = 0.05), a trend toward increased adenosine triphosphate (p = 0.07), and a significant increase in creatine phosphate (p < 0.02). DCA treatment resulted in a decrease in serum lactate (p < 0.01) and end-tidal CO2 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

In acute limb ischemia and reperfusion, DCA administration provides metabolic protection to skeletal muscle.

• Authors: Timothy A Platz, Jeffrey S Wilson, Jeffrey A Kline, Greg Rushing, Jaime L Parker, Erin M Moore, Fredrick N Southern
• Journal: Military medicine (Mil Med) Vol. 172 Issue 6 Pg. 628-33 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0026-4075 [Print] England
• PMID: 17615846 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adenosine Triphosphate
• Dichloroacetic Acid

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adenosine Triphosphate
• Animals
• Anterior Compartment Syndrome (complications, drug therapy)
• Dichloroacetic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Ischemia (complications, drug therapy)
• Muscle Fatigue (drug effects)
• Muscle, Skeletal (blood supply, drug effects)
• Necrosis
• Physical Endurance
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Reperfusion