In ischemia and reperfusion syndrome, the lungs can be the target of remote lesion as it happens in cases of shock, trauma, or liver transplantation. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the lungs following liver ischemia. Methods: 12 male EPM-1 Wistar rats were used, divided into two groups of six animals each (control and experimental). Animals of both groups received anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine. Longitudinal medial incision was performed for identification of the hepatic hilum and caudal vena cava. 5% glucose solution was injected in the control group 15 minutes before hepatic hilum clamping, and NAC dissolved in the same solution was injected in the experimental group. The animals were maintained in hepatic ischemia during 30 minutes, followed by surgical resection of the lungs for histological evaluation, stained by HE. Results: Cavity collapse, neutrophil-permeation, vessel congestion, and hemorrhagic areas were observed which are compatible with systemic repercussion of liver ischemia, in all animals of both groups. Conclusion: NAC does not protect lungs from morphological changes following liver ischemia.
Liver; Lung; Ischemia; Reperfusion; Antioxidant; Rats
