Effects of FK3311 on pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine model

Background: This study investigated the effects of a selective COX-2 Inhibitor, FK3311, on warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the canine lung.

Materials and methods: Sixteen adult mongrel dogs were used in this study. In the FK group (n = 8), FK (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 15 min before ischemia and 15 min before reperfusion. In the control group (n = 8), a vehicle was injected in the same manner. Warm ischemia was induced for 3 h by clamping the left pulmonary artery, veins, and bronchus. Five-minute clamping tests of the right pulmonary artery were performed before ischemia and 30 min after reperfusion. During the test, left pulmonary vascular resistance (L-PVR), cardiac output (CO), and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO(2)) were measured. The lung specimens were simultaneously harvested for wet-to-dry weight ratio (WDR) measurements, histopathological studies, and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts. Serum thromboxane (Tx) B(2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F(1alpha) (stable metabolites of TxA(2) and PGI(2), respectively) were also measured 30 min after reperfusion.

Results: L-PVR, CO, PaO(2), and WDR were significantly (P < 0.05) better in the FK group than in the control group. Histological tissue edema was mild, and PMN infiltration was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the FK group compared to the control group. The serum TxB(2) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the FK group than in the control group, while 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) levels were not significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Two-day survival rate was significantly (P < 0.05) better in the FK group than in the control group.

Conclusions: FK has protective effects on pulmonary I/R injury stemming from marked inhibition of TxA(2).