Protective effect of telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine (GV1001) on inferior epigastric island skin flap survivability in ischaemia-reperfusion injury rat model

Abstract

Background: Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in oxidative damage and a profound inflammatory reaction, leading to cell death. GV 1001 is a telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine developed against cancer. However, it has also been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine if GV 1001 can reduce the negative effects caused by IRI in a rat skin flap model owing to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Materials and methods: In order to evaluate the effect of GV 1001, 5 × 5 cm² inferior epigastric artery based island skin flaps were dissected in 39 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220–270 g. The rats were divided into three groups: (I) non-ischaemic group; (II) IRI with saline; and (III) IRI with 10 mg GV 1001 treatment. Drugs were administered intra-muscularly directly before and after ischaemia. Flap survival area, neutrophil infiltration, cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Flap survivability was analysed at 7 days after surgery.

Results: Flap survival area was significantly larger in group III than in group II. Cytokine release level was also significantly lower in group III. Neutrophil infiltration grade, MDA level, and SOD activity slightly decreased in Group III; however, the changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: These results imply that GV 1001 exerts a protective effect against IRI through antioxidant effects, reducing reactive oxygen species, and suppressing the inflammatory cascade.

Keywords:

• Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)
• telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine (GV 1001)
• cytokine expression
• neutrophil infiltration
• flap survivability

Acknowledgements

None of the authors have financial interests in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

This work was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea, [Grant Number: HI15C1744]. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.