Cytoprotective effect of trimetazidine on 60 minutes of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Trimetazidine (TMZ), a potent antioxidant agent, has been used to protect t he myocardium, liver and kidney from ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. We i nvestigated the effect of TMZ. a cellular antiischemic agent and a free rad ical scavenger, on 60 min of warm intestinal IR injury in rats. Sprague-Daw ley rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no IR injur y, n = 8), an ischemic control group (control, n = 8), and a TMZ-treated gr oup (3 mg/kg, n = 8). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) a ctivity, and mucosal damage were investigated after 120 min of reperfusion. MDA levels and MPO activity were more elevated and histopathological damag e more severe in the control group than in the sham group (P < 0.05). MDA l evels and MPO activity were lower and there was less histopathological dama ge in the TMZ group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Accumulation of l ipid peroxidation products and neutrophils in mucosal tissues were signific antly inhibited by TMZ treatment. We conclude that pretreatment of rats wit h TMZ before intestinal ischemia attenuates but does not prevent, histologi cal dam age.