Blood cells and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion insults are common clinical problems which involve most notably the heart (myocardial infarction) and brain (stroke). However, these and other organs are susceptible to damage following warming after cold injury, trauma, shock, and/or preparation for transplantation. Although the mechanisms responsible for reperfusion damage following ischemia and reperfusion are unknown, they are the focus of intense interest and investigation. This review briefly addresses our recent research related to the potential contributions of blood cells to the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury.