Protective effect of Edaravone on adult rabbit pulmonary injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in vivo

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of free radical scavenger edaravone on adult rabbit lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in situ and the possible mechanisms. Methods:Twenty-Seven healthy New Zealand White adult rabbits were subjected to sham operation(n=6),IR(n=10),or edaravone plus IR(n=11). Ischemia-reperfusion was induced by clamping the left pulmonary hilum for 60 minutes and then removal of the clamp for another 60 minutes. Edaravone (3 mg/kg,intravenous) was given before and after ischemia. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX),catalase (CAT),total anti-oxidation capability (T-AOC) and inhibiting hydroxy radical capability (IHR) in lung tissues,content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myleoperoxidase (MPO),wet to dry ratio of lung tissue weight (W / D) were measured respectively,and lung tissues were prepared for light microscopic evaluation. Results:Compared with IR group,edaravone treatment markedly enhanced the activity of SOD,GSH-PX,CAT and T-AOC, while the MDA,MPO,W / D values were significantly reduced(P 0.05). Pathologic evaluation showed alveoli injury,hemorrhage,white blood cell infiltration and interstitial edema in group IR were obvious,while which were lessen markedly in group with edaravone treatment. Conclusion:Treatment with edaravone can attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult rabbit lung in vivo. The protective mechanism might be mediated by its free radical scavenging and antioxidant action.