“…However, reperfusion of ischemic tissues is associated with local and systemic leukocyte activation and trafficking (specially neutrophil), endothelial barrier dysfunction in postcapillary venules, enhanced production of inflammatory mediators and great lethality (Lefer & Lefer 1996, Granger 1999, Carden & Granger 2000. This phenomenon has been referred to as "reperfusion injury" and several studies have demonstrated that injury is dependent on neutrophil recruitment (Jaeschke et al 1990, Weight et al 1996, Xiao et al 1997, Kyriakides et al 1999, Souza et al 2000a, b, Baxter 2002, Kohtani et al 2002, Merchant et al 2003. Activated neutrophils contribute to tissue damage through several mechanisms: (i) release of free radicals following the respiratory burst of the NADPH oxidase system; (ii) release of proteolytic enzymes; (iii) stimulation of cytokine release from local cells, thus promoting further neutrophil recruitment and, finally (iv) plugging of capilares by neutrophils contribute to the no-flow phenomenon (Ambrosio & Tritto 1999, Jordan et al 1999, Vermeiren et al 2000.…”