Evaluation of the effect of allopurinol as a protective factor in post ischemia and reperfusion inflammation in Wistar rats.

Purpose: To investigate the potential protective effect of allopurinol on reperfusion injury by determining the inflammatory response through the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Methods: Sixty rats were distributed into two groups: control and allopurinol and each group was divided into three subgroups, ischemia for two hours, ischemia for three hours and ischemia simulation. Allopurinol group rats received 100mg/kg dose of allopurinol, whereas control group rats received an equivalent dose of saline.