Abstract

In this study various methods for the prevention of oxidative stress due to tourniquet application were compared. An ischemia period of two hours followed by a reperfusion period of one hour was produced in the right posterior limb in 32 rats. In the first group no treatment was given. In the second group local cold application was performed before and after ischemia. In the third group allopurinol was given orally for 5 days before the procedure. In the fourth group both local hypothermia application and oral allopurinol treatment were given. Ultrastructural study of the gastrocnemius muscles in the various groups revealed that the least damage in the ultrastructure of the striated muscle was obtained using allopurinol alone and using a combination of allopurinol and local hypothermia. When tissue glutathione levels were measured, it was seen that a combination of allopurinol and local hypothermia was the best treatment for preventing oxidative stress.