Effect of Fullerenol C60 on Erythrocyte Deformability During Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury of Lower Extremity in Diabetic Rats

Background: Fullerenol, a water-soluble C60-fullerene derivative synthesized by Chiang et al, has been demonstrated to be able to scavenge free radicals in vitro and in vivo. Although its protective effects have been already studied and shown in ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, additional investigation is necessary for its effect on erythrocyte deformability. The purpose of our study was to look into the effects of fullerenol C60 on erythrocyte deformability in rat lower extremity ischemia reperfusion injury model. Materials and Methods: After approval of the Ethics Committee, 30 Wistar Albino rat were divided into 5 groups (n:6) as; Control (C), Diabetes (group D), diabetes+ fullerenol C60 group (DF), diabetes+ IR (group DIR) and diabetes IR+ fullerenol C60 (DIRF). 55 mg/kg streptozotocin was administered to the rats for diabetes. After the period of 72 hour, blood glucose concentration was mesured, 250 mg/dl and above were considered as diabetic rat. Four week after the formation of diabetes, rats were subjected to 2 hour ischemia and 2 hour reperfusion. Erythrocyte packs were prepared from heparinized blood samples and deformability measurements were performed. Results: The deformability index was significantly increased in diabetic rats; however, it was similar in group D, DF and DIRF. It was significantly increased in group DIR when compared to group C, D, DF and DIRF. The relative resistance was increased in I/R models. Conclusion: This study aimed to investigate the effects of IR on erythrocyte deformability which may lead to disturbance in blood flow and hence tissue perfusion in infrarenal rat aorta. We found that fullerenol C60 had beneficial effects by reversing undesirable effects of IR. In our opinion, further studies with larger volume are required to support our promising results.