The Effect of Shu Xue Tong Treatment on Random Skin Flap Survival via the VEGF-Notch/Dll4 Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of Shu Xue Tong treatment on random skin flap survival. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were administered Shu Xue Tong or normal saline. On postoperative day 7, flap survival area, flap angiogenesis angiography, blood flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Notch1, and Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) expression were assessed. Results: The mean flap survival area, blood vessel regeneration, microcirculatory flow, and expression of VEGF were enhanced with Shu Xue Tong treatment relative to the control. However, in Shu Xue Tong-treated rat flap, Notch1 and Dll4 levels were significantly reduced. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the beneficial action of Shu Xue Tong on random skin flap survival and suggest that its mechanism of action involves the promotion of angiogenesis via the VEGF-Notch1/Dll4 signaling pathway.

Keywords:

• Shu Xue Tong injection
• random skin flap
• VEGF
• rat
• notch
• Dll4

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant Number: 81503397] and Science Technology Department of Zhejiang Province Project [grant Number: 2017C33024].

Notes on contributors

Dingsheng Lin

Dingsheng Lin conceived and designed the experiments. Chaoyang Qi contributed reagents, materials, and performed the experiments. Yuting Lin performed the experiments and analyzed the data; and Dingsheng Lin and Chaoyang Qi wrote the article.