Influence of tramadol on ischemia–reperfusion injury of rats' skeletal muscle

Abstract Introduction : Tramadol has been shown to decrease ischemia–reperfusion injuries in myocardial or brain tissues. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tramadol on ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat hind limb ischemia–reperfusion model. Methods : Forty-five healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomized into three experimental groups as follows: Sham, Ischemia–reperfusion and Ischemia–reperfusion + tramadol groups. Ischemia was induced in anesthetized rats by left femoral artery clipping for 2 h followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Tramadol (20 mg/kg) was administered intravenously immediately prior to reperfusion. Blood pH, pO2 , pCO2 , HCO3 , creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at the end of the reperfusion. Left gastrocnemius muscle samples were taken for histological and biochemical examination. Results : The pH and pCO2 were similar in all study groups, with no statistical significance. pO2 and HCO3 levels presented the highest elevation in sham and Ischemia–reperfusion + tramadol groups, as compared to Ischemia–reperfusion group ( P