The protective effect of methylene blue in lungs, small bowel and kidney after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Purpose: To study the role of methylene blue as an inhibitor of superoxide production by xanthine oxidase.

Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups of 16 animals: the control group and the experimental group. All were submitted to a laparotomy for the occlusion of the cranial mesenteric artery during 60 minutes.