The effects of different doses of amantadine on lung tissue in lower extremity ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

Aim: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication after abdominal aortic surgery. N-Methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) antagonists protect many organs against to I/R injury. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 135 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg of amantadine, on lung tissue after lower extremity I/R injury in rats. 
Material and Methods: 36 wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups each containing six rats as follows; Sham group (Group S), Amantadine 90 group (Group A-90), Amantadine 135 group (Group A-135), Ischemia/Reperfusion group (Group I/R), Ischemia/Reperfusion + Amantadine 90 group (Group I/R-A 90), Ischemia/Reperfusion + Amantadine 135 group (Group I/R-A 135). At the end of procedure, all rats were sacrificed, and their lung tissues were obtained. Lung tissues were examined biochemical and histopathologically. 
Results: The lung tissue catalase, superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehide levels were similar between the groups. Lung tissue neutrophil/lymphocyte infiltration score levels were higher in Group I/R than Group S, Group A-90 and Group A-135. Alveolar wall thickening score levels were higher in Group I/R than Group S, Group A-90, Group A-135 and Group I/R-A 135. 
Conclusion: Although we could not find a statistically significant difference between lung tissue biochemical values, we observed that lung tissue was histopathologically affected by I/R damage and the damage was less with amantadine use. In the reduction of I/R damage, 135 mg/kg administration of amantadine was more beneficial than 90 mg/kg.