Effect of transforming growth factor-alpha on intestinal adaptation in a rat model of short bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVE: TGF-alpha has recently been shown to stimulate enterocyte proliferation. In the present study we investigated the effect of TGF-alpha on enterocyte proliferation and loss via apoptosis and its effects on intestinal adaptation in a rat following massive bowel resection. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bowel transection and reanastomosis (sham group) or 75% small bowel resection and anastomosis (SBS group) and were treated with intraperitoneal TGF-alpha (75 microg/kg) from the ninth postoperative day (SBS-TGF-alpha group). Parameters of intestinal adaptation (overall bowel and mucosal weight, mucosal DNA and protein, villus height, and crypt depth), enterocyte proliferation, and apoptosis were determined on day 15. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA with a P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: SBS-TGF-alpha rats demonstrated a significant increase (vs SBS) in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal overall bowel and mucosal weights; ileal mucosal DNA and protein; and jejunal and ileal villus height. SBS-TGF-alpha rats also showed an increased cell proliferation index in jejunum (704 +/- 43 vs 499 +/- 63 BrdU-positive cells/10 crypts, P < 0.05) and ileum (715 +/- 84 vs 529 +/- 40 BrdU-positive cells/10 crypts, P < 0.05) and decreased apoptotic index in ileum (8.7 +/- 1.1 vs 21.8 +/- 3.2 apoptotic cells/1,000 villus cells, P < 0.05) compared to SBS animals. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model of SBS, TGF-alpha enhances intestinal adaptation. Possible mechanisms may include increased cell proliferation and decreased enterocyte loss via apoptosis.     

Comparison of contraction rates of epigastric and extended dorsal island skin flaps in rats

Flap surgery is a wide field in plastic and reconstructive surgery practice and experimental research is needed to improve surgical success. These research is often performed on rats. Rat is a loose-skinned animal and contraction of skin flaps on rats is an underestimated condition. Besides this variable contraction of survived and necrotic tissues may mislead calculations and results. In this study, contraction patterns of epigastric and dorsal island skin flaps were investigated to identify this phenomenon. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Eleven epigastric flaps with unilateral pedicles, 11 epigastric flaps with bilateral pedicles, 10 extended dorsal island skin flaps with unilateral pedicles, and 10 extended dorsal island skin flaps with bilateral pedicles were prepared. Total, necrotic and viable flap areas were calculated from standardized photographs which were taken daily. The animals were placed on marked papers and image processing software was used the calculate flap areas from the photographs. Respect to these daily flap areas, the contraction rates in epigastric flaps were highly significant. The area loss in necrotic tissues were faster than the viable areas. Compared to the epigastric flaps, the contraction was not significant in extended dorsal island skin flaps flap groups. In conclusion, the rat extended dorsal island skin flap is a more reliable model for experimental flap research, which is resistant to contraction, when compared to the epigastric skin flap model.     

Plasma transforming growth factor-β1 levels in patients with erectile dysfunction

Aim: To evaluate the plasma TGF-β1 level in erectile dysfunction (ED) patients of various causes. Methods: Sixty-two patients with ED and 26 potent men were subjected to the study. Based on multidisciplinary work-ups, including medical history, physical examinations, blood tests with lipid profile and hormones, penile duplex Doppler ultrasonogram and neurophysiological tests, causes for ED were classified as psychogenic (n=15), neurogenic (n=16) and vasculogenic (n=31). The plasma TGF-β1 level was measured by the ELISA method. Results: The plasma TGF-β1 level was significantly increased in the ED group (6.7 ± 4.9 ng/mL), compared to the control (4.0±2.1 ng/mL) (P <0.01). In the ED groups, there was a significant increase in the vasculogenic group (9.0 ± 5.5 ng/mL), compared to the psychogenic (3.8 ± 1.8 ng/mL) and neurogenic groups (4.8 ± 3.2 ng/mL) (P<0.01). Of the vascular risk factors, both the smoking (7.5 ± 4.7 ng/mL) and dyslipidemia groups (7.4 ± 4.4 ng/mL) showed significantly increased     

Repeated intratunical injection of adenovirus expressing transforming growth factor-beta1 in a rat induces penile curvature with tunical fibrotic plaque: a useful model for the study of Peyronie's disease

This study was undertaken to establish a Peyronie's disease model with penile curvature by using recombinant transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) protein or adenovirus (ad-TGF-beta1). Four-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups (n = 18 per group): G1 received a single injection of saline into the tunica albuginea (0.1 mL); G2, repeated injections of ad-LacZ (days 0, 3, and 6; 1 x 10(10) particles/0.1 mL respectively); G3, a single injection of recombinant TGF-beta1 protein (700 ng/0.1 mL); G4, repeated injections of recombinant TGF-beta1 protein (days 0, 3 and 6; 700 ng/0.1 mL respectively); G5, a single injection of low-dose ad-TGF-beta1 (1 x 10(10) particles/0.1 mL); G 6, a single injection of high-dose ad-TGF-beta1 (3 x 10(10) particles/0.1 mL); and G7, repeated injections of low-dose ad-TGF-beta1 (days 0, 3, and 6; 1 x 10(10) particles/0.1 mL respectively). Penile curvature was evaluated 30, 45 and 60 days after treatment, and the penis was then harvested for histological examination. Repeated injection of low-dose ad-TGF-beta1 not only induced fibrous scar in the tunica, which lasted up to 60 days after injection, but also resulted in significant penile curvature by artificial erection test 45 days after treatment. A peculiar histological finding in this group was trapping of inflammatory cells in the tunica, subsequent fibrosis, and formation of cartilage and calcification as well as loss of elastin fibres. This model involving repeated injection of ad-TGF-beta1 may contribute to further investigation of the pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease and the development of new therapeutics targeting this pathway.     

Relationship of transforming growth factor-beta(1) with tumour necrosis factor-alpha and endothelial activation in patients with stable renal transplantation

Aim: To evaluate whether or not transforming growth factor‐beta₁ is related to inflammation markers and to intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules in patients with stable renal transplantation. Methods: Serum concentrations of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules were analysed in 33 renal transplanted patients, 33 patients with chronic renal insufficiency (matched to the transplanted group for level of renal function), and 33 hypertensives with normal renal function. anova , Student's t‐test and simple regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: Transplanted patients showed higher values than hypertensives of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules (P < 0.0001 for all). Renal insufficiency group exhibited higher concentrations of transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules than hypertensives (P < 0.0001 for all). Transplanted and renal insufficiency patients had similar blood pressure and renal function levels, and transforming growth factor‐beta₁, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, C‐reactive protein and adhesion molecules were not significantly different. In transplanted and in renal insufficiency groups transforming growth factor‐beta₁, adhesion molecules and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha correlated significantly each other and with glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: In long‐term renal transplantation inflammation and endothelial activation biomarkers, the pro‐fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor‐beta₁ and kidney function are interrelated. Because of the relevant role that inflammation, organ fibrosis and graft dysfunction may play against renal and cardiovascular survival of graft recipients, a better comprehension of the interactions between these variables is needed.     

Expression of cavernous transforming growth factor-beta1 and its type II receptor in patients with erectile dysfunction

It has been hypothesized that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) signalling is involved in erectile dysfunction (ED). This study was undertaken to elucidate in detail whether expression of TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor is clinically related to various causes of ED. Fifty-four patients with ED and 24 potent men were the subjects of this study. After multidisciplinary work-up, the ED was classified as psychogenic (n = 6), neurogenic (n = 15), or vasculogenic (n = 33). In every subject, percutaneous cavernous biopsy was performed using a Biopty gun. Masson's trichrome staining was used to quantitate collagen fibres and immunohistochemical staining to evaluate both TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor by scoring the intensity of immunoreactivity (score 0-6). Collagen fibres were significantly more abundant in men with vasculogenic ED (72.7 +/- 17.7%) than in control subjects (43.3 +/- 11.2%) or those with psychogenic (45.0 +/- 12.2%) or neurogenic (51.3 +/- 20.3%) ED (p < 0.01). Expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly greater in vasculogenic ED (4.3 +/- 1.3) than in the control subjects (2.4 +/- 0.9) or psychogenic ED (2.0 +/- 0.6) groups (p < 0.01). Type II receptor expression was also significantly increased in vasculogenic ED (3.9 +/- 1.3) compared with control (2.2 +/- 0.7) and psychogenic (2.2 +/- 0.8) or neurogenic (2.6 +/- 1.3) ED (p < 0.01). Of the ED groups, both the hyperlipidaemia and the atherosclerosis patients showed significantly more fibrosis than those without the condition (p < 0.05). The abundance of collagen fibres correlated well with both TGF-beta1 expression (gamma = 0.81; p < 0.001) and receptor II expression (gamma = 0.83; p < 0.001). These results suggest that TGF-beta1 and its receptor II pathway are involved in cavernous fibrosis and ED in man. Patients with vascular risk factors such as hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis are liable to ED by activation of this pathway.     

pcD2/hVEGF对缺血皮瓣存活的影响

目的 观察并探讨pcD2/hVEGF对缺血皮瓣血循环重建和皮瓣存活率的影响.方法 SD大鼠24只,分2组,每组12只.在鼠背部制作蒂位于尾侧的缺血皮瓣(7cm×1cm).实验组皮下注射pcD2/hVEGF,对照组皮下注射生理盐水,术后7天观察皮瓣存活面积比、单位面积微血管计数和及VEGF基因表达水平.结果 2组中pcD2VEGF组皮瓣存活面积比、单位面积微血管密度与对照组有显著性差异.结论 pcD2VEGF能促进缺血皮瓣存活.     

The differential regulation of Smad7 in kidney tubule cells by connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta1

AIMS: Smad7 is an inhibitory Smad that regulates transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is recognized as a potent downstream mediator of the fibrogenic effects of TGF-beta1. SMAD binding sites have been identified in both TGF-beta and CTGF promoters. The effect of CTGF on Smad7 expression and its role in the regulation of Smad7 induced by TGF-beta1 in renal tubular cells is unknown. METHODS: Human model of proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) was used and confirmed using a diabetic rat model. RT-PCR was performed to measure Smad7, TGF-beta1 and Smad2 and ELISA was performed to measure active TGF-beta1. CTGF or TGF-beta1 was silenced in HK-2 cells using siRNA methodology. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 induced Smad7 in a time-dependent manner, peaking at 30 min (P<0.0005) but sustained up to 24 hrs (p<0.005). Conversely, CTGF reduced Smad7, which was maximal at 24 hrs (p<0.05). This was supported by our in vivo data demonstrating that CTGF protein significantly increased while Smad7 mRNA level was reduced in a diabetic rat model. The basal expression level of Smad7 decreased in TGF-beta1 silenced cells compared to cells transfected with non-specific siRNA (p<0.0005). The basal expression level of Smad7 increased in CTGF silenced cells (p<0.05), which was increased by TGF-beta1 (p<0.005). Both mRNA and protein levels of TGF-beta1 decreased in CTGF silenced cells (p<0.05 and p<0.005 respectively) accompanied by reduction in Smad2 mRNA level in CTGF silenced cells. CONCLUSIONS: Smad7 is induced rapidly by TGF-beta1 limiting the response to TGF-beta1. CTGF likely plays a key role in promoting TGF-beta1 activity by decreasing the availability of Smad7 and increasing Smad2.     

Expression of growth factors in early wound healing in rat skin

Growth factors are a group of hormone-like polypeptides that have been shown to play a central role in different phases of wound healing. The expression of these growth factors in early wound healing has not been quantified, and the pattern and distribution of these growth factors in early wound healing has not been described completely. Furthermore the quantity and pattern of distribution of these growth factors have not been investigated in early wounds produced by various methods of surgical incision. Comparison of the rate of healing between the CO₂ laser wound and the scalpel wound has produced conflicting results. The present immunohistochemical study uses polyclonal antibodies specific for epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor p (TGF-β), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to observe the pattern and distribution of these growth factors in rat skin wound and elucidate whether there are differences in the expression of these growth factors which might account for the delayed healing of the CO₂ laser wounds compared to the scalpel as has been observed by some authors. Our results indicate that EGF, TGF-β, PDGF, and bFGF are expressed and distributed in same areas of the early skin wound. The area of expression of these growth factors was associated with presence of wound inflammatory cells and wound fibroblasts. Our study found that there were no significant differences in the expression of growth factors in the majority of time points between the CO₂ laser wounds and the scalpel wounds. © 1994 wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease in a rat model

This study was designed to investigate the benefits of administration of hepatocyte growth factor in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease. Transfection of the HLA-B27 gene into Fisher rats induces a phenotype similar to inflammatory bowel disease. Fisher rats and HLA-B27 rats were divided into six groups: (1) Fisher, intravenous saline; (2) HLA-B27, intravenous saline; (3) HLA-B27, intravenous hepatocyte growth factor; (4) Fisher, luminal saline; (5) HLA-B27, luminal saline; and (6) HLA-B27, luminal hepatocyte growth factor. Rats received a 14-day infusion through an osmotic pump attached to a catheter positioned in either the jugular vein or the terminal ileum. Rats were evaluated for stool character, and gross and microscopic bowel inflammation. Statistics were analyzed using analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. A value of P < 0.05 was significant. Compared to untreated HLA-B27 rats, intravenous administration of hepatocyte growth factor decreased diarrhea by 41% and microscopic inflammation by 54% (P < 0.05). Luminal hepatocyte growth factor exposure decreased total bowel lesions by 53% and microscopic inflammation by 40% compared to untreated HLA-B27 rats (P < 0.05), but it did not have an effect on diarrhea. Administration of hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates many of the features of bowel disease in this rat model and theoretically could have therapeutic applications in the management of inflammatory bowel disease in humans. Presented at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Orlando, Florida, May 18–21, 2003. Supported by grants from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Nemours Foundation.     

兔化疗栓塞术后肝纤维化形成中转化生长因子-β1的动态变化

目的 观察经兔肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)术后不同时间点肝组织转化生长因子(TGF)-β1的表达水平,探讨TGF-β1在肝纤维化形成中的作用.方法 将35只新西兰白兔随机分为3组:对照组(n=5)经胃十二指肠动脉注入生理盐水1 ml,实验1组(n=15)和实验2组(n=15)注入平阳霉素1 mg+碘油0.2 ml,2周后实验2组再次化疗栓塞.分别于第1、2、4、8周取材,并行苏木素-伊红(HE)、VG染色和TGFβ1免疫组织化学染色,进行半定量分析.结果 肝纤维化分级在第1周时实验组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),在第2、4、8周时差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);在第4、8周时实验2组肝纤维化的级别高于实验1组(P＜0.01).实验1组肝组织TGF-β1表达水平在第4周时最高,第8周时下降;实验2组在第2周时上升,持续到第8周实验结束,实验2组肝组织TGF-β1表达水平高于实验1组(P＜0.05).结论 经兔肝TACE术可引起肝纤维化,纤维化的程度与次数有关,肝组织TGF-β1的表达水平在TACE术后不同时间点呈动态变化.     

Adenovirus-mediated expression of a soluble fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibits in vitro growth of prostate DU145 cells

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family plays a key role in prostate cancer. The soluble FGF receptor (sFGFR) has been studied with regards to inhibiting cancer growth and was shown to have a dominant negative effect on cellular signaling and function. Using replication deficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, we tested if sFGFR expression may have a suppressive effect on in vitro growth of prostate cancer cells. METHODS: Western analysis was used to verify expression of sFGFR1 and to examine the effect of sFGFR1 on MAP kinase phosphorylation. The effect on proliferation and invasiveness of DU145 cells was examined using the WST-1 and Matrigel Invasion assay, respectively. RESULTS: Activation of MAP kinase (pERK1 and 2) by exogenous FGF1, 2, and 7 was suppressed to baseline levels by sFGFR, which was not seen with EGF. Proliferation and invasion of DU145 cells were significantly suppressed by sFGFR. CONCLUSIONS: A replication deficient adenoviral vector system reproducibly expresses sFGFR in prostate cells. Suppression of in vitro growth in DU145 cells by sFGFR provides the basis of a novel therapeutic approach.     

转化生长因子β1在不明原因不育症着床窗期子宫内膜的表达

目的　探讨转化生长因子 β1(TGFβ1)在月经周期子宫内膜组织的表达规律 ,了解其对子宫内膜着床窗期的作用以及与不明原因不育症的关系。　方法　应用免疫组织化学法检测TGFβ1在增殖期 (2 5例 )、分泌期 (2 9例 )子宫内膜、不明原因不育症着床窗期内膜 (12例 )的表达。　结果　TGFβ1在早、中增殖期腺体及间质细胞大多无表达或弱阳性 ,晚增殖期表达明显增加 ,与早、中增殖期相比 ,在腺上皮细胞胞浆染色显著增强 (P <0 .0 1)。TGFβ1在中分泌期内膜腺体和间质细胞胞浆表达丰富 ,与早分泌期比较均有明显增强 (P <0 .0 1)。在不明原因不育症着床窗期内膜间质细胞TGFβ1的表达强度较对照组显著下降 (P <0 .0 5 )。　结论　TGFβ1调节子宫内膜生长、分化 ,可能参与胚胎的着床过程。TGFβ1在不明原因不育症着床窗期表达下降 ,可能是导致不明原因不育症的重要原因之一。     

Up-regulation of hepatocyte growth factor caused by an over-expression of transforming growth factor beta, in the rat model of fulminant hepatic failure

BACKGROUND: The role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a potent regulator of cellular growth, was investigated in the rat model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat FHF model was created by a combination of a 68% partial hepatectomy (PH) and 7% of necrosis (each n = 25 in Groups 1, 2 and 3). Adenovirus mediated gene transfer of mature human TGF-beta1 gene was performed by the systemic injection of AxCAhTGFb1 (1 x 10(9) pfu) in Group 1, 3 days before FHF. In control Groups 2 and 3, recombinant lacZ adenovirus (AxCAlacZ, Group 2) and normal saline (1 ml, Group 3) were used, instead of AxCAhTGFb1. RESULTS: An excessive expression of TGF-beta1 in Group 1 resulted in an inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation (24-48 h after FHF) and gaining of liver weight (24-48 h), increased expression of HGF in liver tissue (24 h), and decreased expression of TGF-alpha (24 h), compared to those in control Groups 2 and 3. Serum IL-6 levels were also elevated by a TGF-beta1 over-expression at 24 hrs after FHF in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The forced expression of TGF-beta1 in the FHF liver yields both a secondary increase of HGF production and a suppression of liver regeneration, which might explain the mechanism of increased serum HGF observed in a clinical FHF. TGF-beta1 is thus thought to have an important role in inhibiting liver regeneration after FHF.     

Alpha-tocopherol and ginkgo biloba treatment protects lipid peroxidation during ischemic period in rat groin island skin flaps

Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in the causation of cellular injury during low-flow ischemia and during reperfusion of previously completely ischemic tissue; they are also believed to be the causative factor in the no-reflow phenomena. Modulation of these free radical substances has been suggested as a means of decreasing the amount of tissue loss due to ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. Pretreatment of tissues with a variety of agents has been reported to minimize the production of oxygen radicals and augment tissue survival after an ischemic insult. Further evidence of free radical involvement in skin flap necrosis in a rat groin island skin flap model is presented. In addition, the effects of two different free radical scavengers, alpha tocopherol (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally once daily for a week) and ginkgo biloba (5 mg/kg orally twice a day for a week) have been investigated and compared. Since malonyldialdehyde (MDA) is the end product of lipoperoxidation which occurs in cellular membranes in an ischemic period - dependent manner, MDA levels in tissue homogenates were measured 60, 90, and 120 min after an ischemic insult. MDA levels significantly increased in a time-dependent manner during the ischemic period in the control group. Results from the determination of tissue MDA levels at biopsy sites of radical scavenger treated groups compared with the placebo group showed that the ginkgo biloba-treated rat samples had significantly lower MDA levels than control samples only at the 120 min ischemic period (p<0.01). However, protection of lipoperoxidation in alpha tocopherol-treated rat samples was detected after both the 90 and 12 min ischemic periods (p<0.01), and the magnitude of these decreased MDA levels in alpha tocopherol-treated samples was found to be greater than it was after ginkgo biloba treatment. Decreasing free radicals during reperfusion by using these agents, preferably alpha tocopherol, may be beneficial in modulating the no-reflow phenomenon and subsequent reperfusion injury, and may help to improve tissue salvage.     

Comparison of the effectiveness of gene therapy with transforming growth factor-β or extracorporal shock wave therapy to reduce ischemic necrosis in an epigastric skin flap model in rats

The induction of neoangiogenesis by exogenous growth factors in failing skin flaps has recently yielded promising results. Gene transfer with virus vectors has been introduced as a highly capable route of administration for growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor or fibroblast growth factor. Extracorporal shock waves (ESW) deliver energy by means of high amplitudes of sound to the target tissue and have been shown to induce angiogenesis. We compared the effectiveness of gene therapy with adenovirus-mediated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and ESW therapy to treat ischemically challenged epigastric skin flaps in a rat model. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of 10 each with an 8 x 8 cm epigastric skin flap. Rats received either subdermal injections of adenovirus (Ad) encoding TGF-beta (10(8) pfu) or ESW treatment with 750 impulses at 0.15 mJ/mm2. The third group received no treatment and served as a control group. Flap viability was evaluated after 7 days and digital images of the epigastric flaps were taken and areas of necrotic zones relative to total flap surface area calculated. Histologic evaluation and increased angiogenesis were confirmed by CD31 immunohistochemistry. Overall, there was a significant increase in mean percent surviving area in the Ad-TGF-beta group and the ESW group compared to the control group (ESW group: 97.7 +/- 1.8% vs. Ad-TGF-beta: 90.3 +/- 4.0% and control group: 82.6 +/- 4.3%; p < 0.05). Furthermore, in the ESW group mean percent surviving areas were significantly larger than in the Ad-TGF-beta group (ESW group: 97.7 +/- 1.8% vs. Ad-TGF-beta: 90.3 +/- 4.0%; p < 0.05). Flap vascularization was increased by Ad-TGF-beta and ESW with numerous vessels, however, there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. We conclude that treatment with ESW enhances epigastric skin flap survival significantly more than Ad-TGF-beta treatment and thus represents a modality that is feasible, cost-effective, and less invasive compared to gene therapy with growth factors to improve blood supply to ischemic tissue.     

Topical application of nitrosonifedipine,a novel radical scavenger,ameliorates ischemic skin flap necrosis in a mouse model

Ischemic skin flap necrosis can occur in random pattern flaps. An excess amount of reactive oxygen species is generated and causes necrosis in the ischemic tissue. Nitrosonifedipine (NO‐NIF) has been demonstrated to possess potent radical scavenging ability. However, there has been no study on the effects of NO‐NIF on ischemic skin flap necrosis. Therefore, they evaluated the potential of NO‐NIF in ameliorating ischemic skin flap necrosis in a mouse model. A random pattern skin flap (1.0 × 3.0 cm) was elevated on the dorsum of C57BL/6 mice. NO‐NIF was administered by topical injection immediately after surgery and every 24 hours thereafter. Flap survival was evaluated on postoperative day 7. Tissue samples from the skin flaps were harvested on postoperative days 1 and 3 to analyze oxidative stress, apoptosis and endothelial dysfunction. The viable area of the flap in the NO‐NIF group was significantly increased (78.30 ± 7.041%) compared with that of the control group (47.77 ± 6.549%, p < 0.01). NO‐NIF reduced oxidative stress, apoptosis and endothelial dysfunction, which were evidenced by the decrease of malondialdehyde, p22phox protein expression, number of apoptotic cells, phosphorylated p38 MAPK protein expression, and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 protein expression while endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression was increased. In conclusion, they demonstrated that NO‐NIF ameliorated ischemic skin flap necrosis by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and endothelial dysfunction. NO‐NIF is considered to be a candidate for the treatment of ischemic flap necrosis.