Different oxidative stress marker levels in blood from the operated knee or the antecubital vein in patients undergoing knee surgery: a tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion model.

Background: In knee surgery a tourniquet is usually applied in order to provide a bloodless surgical field. This study aims to compare, in a tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion model, the glutathione oxidation and lipid peroxidation in two different blood sources: an operated knee drainage tube or the antecubital vein.

Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing total knee replacement were studied.