Effects of pentoxifylline on adhesion molecules expression in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To study the effect of pentoxifylline on the expression of the CD18 and ICAM 1 after lung ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Methods The rat model of lung ischemia was estaleished with occlusion of left pulmonary hilus for 45 min. Seventy two rats were divided into 3 groups: ① Sham operation group (GroupⅠ, n =24); ②Ischemia reperfusion injury group (GroupⅡ, n =24); ③Pentoxifylline treatment group (GroupⅢ, n =24). Pentoxifylline was injected intravenously 5 min before and 45 min after normothermic ischemia. The changes of water content of lung, MPO and BALF albumin were studied 1 h, 2 h, 4 h during reperfusion after 45 min pulmonary ischemia. Flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of the CD18 on the polymorphonuclear neutrophil(PMN) and ICAM 1 on lung tissue. Results In groupⅡ, water content of lung, MPO and BALF albumin were increased evidently ( P 0.05), the expression of CD18 and ICAM 1 were up regulated. In groupⅢ, the changes were ameliorated as compared with groupⅡ. Conclusion Pentoxifylline can reduce the aggregation and activation of PMNs in the lungs through its effect to inhibit the expression of CD11/CD18 and ICAM 1 after pulmonary ischemia reperfusion. Consequently pulmonary ischemia repefusion injury is prevented.