Effects of edaravone on lung injury induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of edaranvone on lung injury induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups ( n = 6 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S); group Ⅱ myocardial I/R and group Ⅲ and Ⅳ different doses of edaravone ( group E1, E2 ). The animals were anesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated. In group Ⅱ-Ⅳ myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery for 45 min followed by 3 h reperfusion. In group Ⅲ and Ⅳ edavarone 3 and 10 mg/kg was administered via right femoral vein at 1 min before reperfusion respectively. The animals were sacrificed by exsanguination at the end of 3 h reperfusion. Blood was collected for determination of serum CK-MB activity and total protein content. The left lung was lavaged and the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was colleted for determination of protein content. Pulmonary permeability index (PPI) was calculated. The lung tissue was obtained for determination of BD-2 mRNA and protein and TNF-α expression. Results The serum CK-MB activity, PPI,BD-2 mRNA and protein and TNF-α expression were significantly higher in group I/R, E1 and E2 than in group S,but significantly lower in group E1 and E2 than in group I/R and in group E2 than in group E1. Conclusion Edaravone can reduce myocardial I/R-induced lung injury by scavenging oxygen free radicals and inhibiting inflammatory response of lung tissues in rats. Key words: Free radical scavengers; Myocardial reperfusion injury; Respiratory distress syndrome,adult