Effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on microvascular permeability in skeletal muscle.

Microvascular permeability changes (using FITC-dextran 150 clearance as an index) produced by ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) were investigated in the rat cremaster muscle. I-R produced significant sustained increases in microvascular permeability to macromolecules. Pretreatment with dexamethasone and verapamil reduced this I-R effect. Leukopenia also afforded protection to the microcirculation. It was concluded that changes occurring during ischemia are major causative components of the ischemia-reperfusion damage.