The effect of pregabalin on tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury: a prospective randomized study

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pregabalin on ischemia-reperfusion injuries.

Materials and methods: Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. A 150-mg tablet of pregabalin was given the night before and then 1 h before the operation for patients in Group P (pregabalin group, n = 27). A placebo was given to patients in Group C (control group, n = 27) at the same times. After combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was performed, venous blood samples were taken before tourniquet inflation (t(1)), just before tourniquet deflation (t(2)), and 20 min after tourniquet deflation (t(3)) for the analysis of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), catalase (CAT), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA).

Results: There was no significant difference in TAS levels between the groups for the t(3) period. However, the TAS in Group P was significantly higher in the t(3) period than the t(2) period (mean +/- SD, 0.46 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.2 mmol of Trolox equivalent/L, respectively; P < 0.05). The CAT level in the C period was significantly higher in Group P than Group C (mean +/- SD, 53.04 +/- 32.1 vs. 35.46 +/- 17.2 mu mol/formaldehyde, respectively; P < 0.05). In the t(3) period, the TOS was significantly lower in Group P than Group C (mean +/- SD, 11.97 +/- 5 vs. 18.29 +/- 9.9 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). The TOS in Group P was significantly lower in the t(3) period than the t(2) period (mean +/- SD, 11.97 +/- 5 vs. 18.98 +/- 10.7 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Pregabalin has no marked antioxidant activity, but it contributes to the antioxidant defense system of an organism.