MECHANISMS OF REPERFUSION INJURY

Reperfusion of ischemic organs can result in tissue injury that is man ifested as microvascular and parenchymal cell dysfunction. Reactive ox ygen metabolites and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have been impl icated in the pathobiology of reperfusion injury. Reactive oxygen meta bolites mediate the lipid peroxidation detected in postischemic tissue s and promote the formation of inflammatory agents that recruit and ac tivate PMN. These PMN appear to inflict reperfusion-induced tissue inj ury. Drugs that scavenge or inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen m etabolites and/or prevent the recruitment of PMN may be useful in the treatment of reperfusion injury.