Purpose
To clarify the best protocol for performing remote ischemic conditioning and
to minimize the consequences of ischemia and reperfusion syndrome in brain,
the present study aimed to evaluate different time protocols and the
relation of the organs and the antioxidant effects of this technique.
Methods
The rat’s left femoral artery was clamped with a microvascular clamp in times
that ranged from 1 to 5 minutes, according to the corresponding group. After
the cycles of remote ischemic conditioning and a reperfusion of 20 minutes,
the brain and the left gastrocnemius were collected. The samples were used
to measure glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase
levels.
Results
In the gastrocnemius, the 4-minute protocol increased the catalase
concentration compared to the 1-minute protocol, but the latter increased
both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase compared to the
former. On the other hand, the brain demonstrated higher catalase and
glutathione peroxidase in 5-minute group, and the 3-minute group reached
higher values of glutathione reductase.
Conclusions
Remote ischemic conditioning increases brain antioxidant capacity in a
time-dependent way, while muscle presents higher protection on 1-minute
cycles and tends to decrease its defence with longer cycles of intermittent
occlusions of the femoral artery.