Ebselen Attenuates Lung Injury in Experimental Model of Carrageenan-Induced Pleurisy in Rats

The study evaluates the role of Ebselen (Eb), an organoselenium compound in animal model of acute lung injury induced by carrageenan (CG). Wistar rats received saline or 2 % λ-carrageenan in the pleural cavity, and treatment with Eb (50 mg/kg intragastrically) or dexamethasone (Dx) (0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal) after CG administration. After 4 h, rats were euthanized and the pleural exudate removed for analysis of the total cell count, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and nitrite/nitrate. Moreover, lung tissue were removed to verify the myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative damage. Eb showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting leukocyte influx, myeloperoxidase activity, and nitrite/nitrate concentration. Eb presented with an anti-inflammatory activity similar to Dx and an antioxidant activity better than Dx. This study suggests that Eb plays an important role against the oxidative damage associated with anti-inflammatory activity in animal model of acute lung injury, proving to be similar or potentially more effective than Dx.