Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of protective effects of recombinant human interleukin-11( rhIL-11) pretreatment on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of rats.MethodsThe I/R model of rat was produced by clampi ng the superior mesenteric artery for 1 hour, animals were divided randomly into the normal control group (A), I/R group (B), normal saline control group? and rhIL-11 pretreatment group (D). In group C and D, animals were administered w ith saline(0.25ml/rat/day)or rhIL-11 (600μg/kg/day) two days before the oper ation. Rats in different groups were sacrificed at 6 hours and 24 hours after re perfusion respectively. Intestinal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and the expression of bcl-2, caspase 3 and caspase 8 were determined by immunohist ochemistry. Meanwhile pathologic pictures were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.ResultsHE and TUNEL examinations showe d that in group D, the intestinal barrier was damaged obviously slighter than th at in the group B and group C, with decreased apoptosis cells, meanwhile, expres sion levels of caspase 3 and caspase 8 were lower, and bcl-2 was higher than th e group B and group C.Conclusions The protective e ffect of rhIL-11 pretreatment on rat intestinal I/R injury might be caused by t hat the expression of activities of caspase 3 and caspase 8 are inhibited and b cl-2 is activated.

Key words: recombinant human interleukin- 11 (rhIL-11), ischemia/reperfusion injury, intestine, protein kinase