Abstract

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of alprostadil and hydrocortisone as antioxidants on remote lung and myocardial injury by measuring glutathione level in an experimental rat model of hind limb ischemia-reperfusion. Methods: Ischemia was induced by infra renal aortic occlusion for 1 h in 32 male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into those receiving alprostadil (group IR/A, N.=8), those receiving hydrocortisone (group IR/H, N.=8), control group (group IR, N.=8), and sham group (N.=8). After 2 h of reperfusion blood sample, as well as lung and myocardial tissue samples were taken. Levels of glutathione, a compound used as indirect marker of oxidative stress, were measured in tissues and blood samples. All data were compared using the ANOVA test. Results: Comparison of the IR/A and IR/H vs the IR groups produced statistically significant higher concentration of lung, and blood glutathione in IR/A and IR/H groups. Treatment with alprostadil caused higher myocardial concentration of glutathione than IR rats; however myocardial glutathione levels were not significantly different between the IR/H and IR groups. Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of either alprostadil or hydrocortisone before reperfusion of an acutely ischemic lower limb can reduce the oxidative injury to lung and, myocardial tissue as well as circulation blood.