Methods: Rats were divided into three groups as follows: control group (Group 1), IR group without treatment (Group 2), IR with the administration of ascorbic acid (Group 3). Rats in the group 1 were undertaken laparotomy and closed after exploration of abdominal aorta (n = 5). In the second group, the infrarenal aorta of the rats were clamped a period of 3 hours. After ischemic period, aortic clamping were removed and waited for 1 hour of reperfusion period (n = 8). The rats in the third group were administered 50 mg/kg/day of sodium ascorbic acid commencing from 5 days before experimental procedure (n = 8). The animals were sacrificed and the histopathological specimens of the lungs were examined. The pathological changes in the lungs were ranged between 0+ and 3+ correlated to the level of increasing injury.

Results: Edema, congestion and the more prominent accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) were determined in the specimens of group 2 and 3 as compared to the control group. The average score was 2.75 in the group 2. The average score was 2.12 in the third group and it was statistically significant as compared to the second group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Pretreatment with ascorbic acid was beneficial in prevention of lung injury after IR of lower extremities.