BackgroundLimb ischemia/reperfusion causes inflammation and elicits oxidative stress that may lead to local tissue damage and remote organ such as lung injury. This study investigates pulmonary function after limb ischemia/reperfusion and the protective effect of a lipid emulsion (Intralipid).MethodsTwenty-four rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (group S), ischemia/reperfusion group (group IR), and lipid emulsion treatment group (group LE). limb ischemia/reperfusion was induced through occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 3 h. The microvascular clamp was removed carefully and reperfusion was provided for 3 h.ResultsThe mean arterial pressure in group LE was higher than group IR during the reperfusion period (P = 0.024). The heart rate of both group LE and IR are significantly higher than group S during the ischemia period(P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The arterial oxygen pressure of group LE was significantly higher than group IR (P = 0.003), the arterial carbon dioxide pressure of group LE were lower than that of group IR (P = 0.005). The concentration of plasma interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde in group LE were significantly lower than group IR (P < 0.001, P = 0.009 and 0.029, respectively). The plasma superoxide dismutase activity in group LE was significantly higher than group IR (P = 0.029). The myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissues of group LE was significantly less than group IR (P = 0.046). Both muscle and lung in group IR were damaged seriously, whereas lipid emulsion (Intralipid) effectively reversed the damage. In summary, Intralipid administration resulted in several beneficial effects as compared to group IR, such as the pulmonary gas exchange and inflammatory.ConclusionsThe ischemic/reperfusion injury of limb muscles with resultant inflammatory damage to lung tissue can be mitigated by administration of a lipid emulsion (Intralipid, 20%, 5 ml/kg). The mechanisms attenuating such a physiological may be attributed to reduction of the degree of limb injury through a decrease in the release of local inflammatory mediators, a reduction of lipid peroxidation, and a blunting of the subsequent remote inflammatory response.

ErratumFollowing publication of the original article [1], the authors pointed out the title was complete, and that it should read "Lipid emulsion mitigates impaired pulmonary function induced by limb I/R in rats through attenuation of local cellular injury and the subsequent systemic inflammatory response/inflammation" instead of "Lipid emulsion mitigates impaired pulmonary function induced by limb I/R in rats through attenuation of local cellular injury and the subsequent systemic inflammatory".

BackgroundProximal brachial plexus blocks can lead to an extended period of motor paralysis and delay the return of motor function. This could influence patient satisfaction, and extend hospitalizations. The aim of the study is to compare a selective distal nerve block of the arm to a proximal axillary block, both ultrasound-guided, in terms of their motor block intensity of the elbow. Our hypothesis is that a selective nerve block of the arm would result in a different motor block of the elbow, compared to the axillary block.MethodsA sample size of 24 patients who were undergoing elective surgery (ASA I-III) of the wrist, hand or forearm was randomly divided into two groups: Arm Group (n = 12) and Axillary Group (n = 12). The Arm Group received ultrasound-guided block of the median, ulnar, and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerves at the level of upper-median 1/3 of the arm, and a block of the radial and musculocutaneous nerves at the level of low-median 1/3 of the arm, while the Axillary Group received ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks. Both blocks used in combination with general anesthesia.ResultsOur results demonstrated that the incidence of motor block at the elbow in the Arm Group was lower than in the Axillary Group. Compared with the Axillary Group, the duration of motor block at the elbow and the onset time of sensory block in the Arm Group were shortened. The patient satisfaction was increased in the Arm Group. There were no differences in the duration of the sensory block, the effect on postoperative analgesia, or in the duration of the motor block at the shoulder between both groups.ConclusionOur study showed that ultrasound-guided selective nerve block in the upper arm allowed improved retention of motor function at the elbow compared to axillary block. Secondarily, the ultrasound-guided selective nerve block seemed to provide similar analgesia after surgery of the hand or forearm with an enhanced patient satisfaction.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16008769. Registered 3 July 2016.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12871-018-0584-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.