Lung injury after aortic occlusion-reperfusion in rats: the role of gadolinium chloride

Aortic ischemia-reperfusion (AIR) induced lung injury has already been documented. Kupffer cell blockage (KCB) with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) has also been shown to attenuate remote organ damage caused by ischemia reperfusion. The present study was designed to examine the effect of GdCl3 in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by aortic occlusion. Thirty-two rats were randomly allocated to four groups as follows: SHAM (Sham Laparotomy), SHAM+KCB, AIR, and AIR+KCB. An atraumatic microvascular clamp was placed across the infrarenal abdominal aorta just after its origin from the aorta for 30 minutes. The microvascular clamp on the infrarenal abdominal aorta was removed and reperfused for 60 minutes. GdCl3 was given 24 hours prior to the experiment. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assayed in lung tissues. MDA level and MPO activity in the AIR group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. When compared to AIR group, KCB with GdCl3 significantly decreased MDA level and MPO activity in the AIR+KCB group. These results suggest that GdCl3 attenuates the lung injury caused by AIR. The effects of GdCl3 on reduced lung damage may be mediated through significant decreases in both MDA level and MPO activity.