Methods: Thirty-two Spraque Dawley type female rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups, of eight rats. Group 1 was the sham group; group 2, ethyl pyruvate in the sham group; group 3, the I/R group (control group), and group 4, ethyl pyruvate in the I/R group (study group), respectively. The I/R groups underwent three hours ischemia and two hours reperfusion. Five hours from the beginning of the experiment, the rats in each group were sacrificed and blood and lung tissue samples were taken and MDA levels were measured.

Results: Plasma MDA levels and lung tissue MDA levels in group 4 were significantly lower than in group 3 (p=0.016 and p=0.039 respectively).

Conclusion: Our results support the protective effect of ethyl pyruvate against lung damage caused by ischemia and reperfusion. Further experimental and clinical trials are recommended to determined the clinical use of ethyl pyruvate, therapeutic doses, and different periods of ischemia and reperfusion, and effects on various organs (lung, kidney, liver, heart, etc.).