Objective Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) is a critical and triggering event in the development of distal organ dysfunction,frequently involving the lungs.In this study we investigated the effects of edaravone on the prevention of lung injury induced by intestinal I-R in rats.Methods Eighteen male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Sham operation group (group Sham),I-R group (group IR) and edaravone group (group E).After injecting 6 mg of edaravone or the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride,the anterior mesenteric artery was clamped with a noninvasive microvascular clip for 120 min and then reperfusion for 120 min.Sham-operated animals underwent the same surgical procedures without clamping.Lung tissues were collected for pathology tested by HE dyed,blood as collected for the analysis of TNF-α and IL-6 concentration by ELISA,small lung tissues were collected for the analysis of lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malonialdehyde (MDA) concentration.Results Compared with group Sham,the alveolar epithelial cells in group IR was widespread edema,inflammatory cell infiltration,atectasis,disruption of alveolar,and pulmonary capillary hemorrhage.The pathological changes of lung tissue in group E were significantly improved compared with those in group IR,and that of alveolar inflammatory exudate was decreased.Pathological scoring of group E (2.1±0.7),which was significantly lower than that of group IR (5.7±1.1) and group sham (1.5±0.2) score (P<0.05),so the concentration of TNF-α,IL-6,MPO activity and MDA concentration of group E were less than those of group IR (P<0.01).Conclusion Edaravone ameliorated the lung injury induced by intestinal I-R.