Abstract

Oxygen-derived free radicals promote tissue injury by cumulating in ischemic sites, and it was previously reported that hypoxic tissue lesions occur secondarily to chemical pneumonia following hydrocarbon intoxication. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can reduce tissue damage in gastrointestinal system by its radical removing effect, but it is not known whether it is effective similarly in other systems. From this point of view, 30 rabbits were divided equally into three groups, and kerosene and DMSO were instilled into the stomach of the first group through an orogastric tube. The second group received only kerosene and the third group received only DMSO by the same way as the first group. At the end of 48 hours rabbits were sacrificed and organs were examined histologically. Statistical analysis revealed a non-significant difference between the first and second group (p>0.05) and there was no pathological lesion in the third group. As a conclusion, DMSO is ineffective in reducing hypoxic tissue damage secondary to chemical pneumonia. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1(1):7-9,1994]

Key Words : Kerosene ingestion, dimethyl sulfoxide , ischemic injury