Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Rats were randomly divided into five groups, with six rats in each group. A left lower extremity ischemia was established in the rats. Before reperfusion, 15, 50, and 150 mg/ kg single doses of methylprednisolone were given to the rats. Serum and lung samples were taken, and lung damage and systemic inflammation parameters were studied. The findings were statistically evaluated.

Results: In ischemia-reperfusion group, all inflammatory parameters (leukocyte, percentage of neutrophil, lactatedehydrogenase, malonedialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxydase, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were significantly higher when compared to control group (p<0.05). In treatment groups, the levels of inflammatory parameters decreased in relation to dose. In 150 mg/kg methylprednisolone group, inflammatory parameters were significantly lower than those in 15 mg/kg methylprednisolone group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in kidney and liver function parameters in the treatment groups when compared to ischemia-reperfusion group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Single dose methylprednisolone is an effective agent to prevent the lung injury resulted from extremity ischemia reperfusion in rats. This preventive effect becomes manifested by increasing the dose. However, kidney and liver functions are not influenced even when much higher doses are used.