Abstract: Objective To investigate the changes of adhesion molecules and their effects on skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods 42 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: normal control group (Group Ⅰ, n=6), ischemia group (Group Ⅱ, n=6),ischemia/reperfusion injury group (Group Ⅲ, n=30). The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma, myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the skeletal muscle, CD_11b/CD₁₈ on the leukocytes, intercelluar adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the skeletal muscle and the histological changes were studied 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h reperfusion after ischemia for 4 h. Results In group Ⅲ, the expression of CD_11b/CD₁₈, ICAM-1 and the injury of skeletal muscle increased with the lapse of reperfusion time. They reached the peak at 8～12 hours' reperfusion. The injury of skeletal muscle developed with the expression of adhesion molecules. Conclusion The expression of CD_11b/CD₁₈ and ICAM-1 are significantly associated with the skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Key words: ischemia-reperfusion injury, skeletal muscle, CD_11b/CD₁₈, intercelluar adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)