Cytokinins can act as suppressors of nitric oxide in Arabidopsis.

Maintaining nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis is essential for normal plant physiological processes. However, very little is known about the mechanisms of NO modulation in plants. Here, we report a unique mechanism for the catabolism of NO based on the reaction with the plant hormone cytokinin. We screened for NO-insensitive mutants in Arabidopsis and isolated two allelic lines, cnu1-1 and 1-2 (continuous NO-unstressed 1), that were identified as the previously reported altered meristem program 1 (amp1) and as having elevated levels of cytokinins. A double mutant of cnu1-2 and nitric oxide overexpression 1 (nox1) reduced the severity of the phenotypes ascribed to excess NO levels as did treating the nox1 line with trans-zeatin, the predominant form of cytokinin in Arabidopsis. We further showed that peroxinitrite, an active NO derivative, can react with zeatin in vitro, which together with the results in vivo suggests that cytokinins suppress the action of NO most likely through direct interaction between them, leading to the reduction of endogenous NO levels. These results provide insights into NO signaling and regulation of its bioactivity in plants.

The Arabidopsis ARCP protein, CSI1, which is required for microtubule stability, is necessary for root and anther development.

Armadillo repeat-containing proteins (ARCPs) are conserved across eukaryotic kingdoms and function in various processes. Regulation of microtubule stability by ARCPs exists widely in mammals and algae, but little is known in plants. Here, we present the functional characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana ARCP, which was previously identified as Cellulose synthase-interactive protein1 (CSI1), and prove its crucial role in anther and root development. CSI1 is highly expressed in floral tissues, and knockout mutants of CSI1 (three allelic lines) accordingly exhibit defective anther dehiscence, which can be partially rescued by mammalian microtubule-stabilizer MAP4, suggesting that CSI1 functions by stabilizing the microtubular cytoskeleton. CSI1 binds microtubules in vitro, and immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation studies confirmed the physical interactions between CSI1 and microtubules in vivo. Analysis using oryzalin, a microtubule-disrupting drug, further revealed the destabilized microtubules under CSI1 deficiency and confirmed the crucial role of CSI1 in microtubule stability. The dynamic change of CSI1 in response to dehydration strongly suggests the important function of CSI1 in dehydration-induced microtubule depolymerization and reorganization, which is crucial for anther development. These results indicate the pivotal role of CSI1 in anther development by regulating microtubule stability and hence cell morphogenesis.

XsFAD2 gene encodes the enzyme responsible for the high linoleic acid content in oil accumulated in Xanthoceras sorbifolia seeds.

BACKGROUND: Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge is a valuable oilseed tree that has linoleic acid-rich seed oil. Microsomal oleate desaturase (FAD2; EC 1.3.1.35) is responsible for the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid during fatty acid synthesis. In this study, XsFAD2 was cloned from developing embryos of X. sorbifolia. RESULTS: XsFAD2 contained three histidine boxes, a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum retrieval motif, and five putative transmembrane domains representing the characteristics of membrane-bound fatty acid desaturase. XsFAD2 expression in yeast cells resulted in linoleic acid (18:2) and palmitolinoleic acid (16:2) production, confirming the biological activity of the enzyme encoded by XsFAD2. These fatty acids are not normally present in wild-type yeast. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that XsFAD2 is located in a subgroup of FAD2 enzymes specifically or highly expressed in developing seeds. The expression level of XsFAD2 in seeds was much higher than those in leaves and petals. Furthermore, XsFAD2 expression pattern correlated well with linoleic acid accumulated in seeds. CONCLUSION: Results suggested that XsFAD2 is responsible for the high linoleic acid content in X. sorbifolia seed oil. This study provides insight on the regulation mechanism of fatty acid synthesis in X. sorbifolia seeds and a valuable gene for improving the oil quality in oilseed trees.

Lentiviral vector mediated expression of Bax and hepatocyte growth factor inhibits vein graft thickening in a rabbit vein graft model.

Vein graft failure caused by vein graft thickening of the arterialized vein after bypass surgery is a main problem in clinical vascular surgery. Gene therapy is increasingly being recognized as a relevant treatment option for vein graft failure. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel recombinant lentivirus for the delivery of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Bax in a rabbit vein graft model of bypass grafting. A bypass model was made in rabbits using the right jugular vein interposed end-to-end to the ipsilateral carotid artery. A lentivirus vector harboring HGF and Bax cDNAs (Lenti-HGF-Bax) was constructed and transduced into the venous grafts. Vein grafts were stained with hematoxilyn and eosin, and Masson. HGF and Bax expression in vein grafts was detected by immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. Our results showed that vein graft thickening was reduced by 47.2 ± 7.4% in lenti-HGF-Bax treated rabbits, compared to controls. Meanwhile, the ratio of intima/media area was reduced in lentil-HGF-Bax treated rabbits, compared to controls. The number of HGF and Bax positive cells was increased in vein grafts from rabbits treated by lenti-HGF-Bax, compared to those from controls. Furthermore, protein levels of HGF and Bax were both significantly increased in grafts derived from rabbits treated by lenti-HGF-Bax, compared to those from control. In conclusion, Lenti-HGF-Bax inhibits vein graft thickening in vein grafts and is a promising agent for preventing vein graft failure.

[Construction and quality evaluation of strawberry seedling index model]. / 草莓种苗壮苗指数模型的构建与质量评价.

With the development of strawberry cultivated area in China, the demands for high-quality strawberry seedlings are increasing year by year. The research on the evaluation index of strawberry seedlings is needed to ensure the quality of the seedlings. This study aimed to establish an optimal index model of strawberry seedlings to improve the accuracy of seedlings evaluation. In this study, 320 seedlings of 'Benihoppe' strawberry seedlings growing for 40 days were taken as the materials. Based on the determination of 16 individual indicators including the growth of aboveground and underground parts, fresh weight, and dry weight, we firstly conducted the membership function corresponding to single indicator. Then the comprehensive evaluation index of strawberry seedlings was calculated using weighted fuzzy evaluation method. Furthermore, the key indicators out of the 16 indicators which were filtered out by means of the principal component analysis method were combined into different index models of strawberry seedlings. The correlation analysis between the comprehensive evaluation index and seedling index models was done and finally the optimal seedling index model was selected and verified. The results showed that there were significant differences in 16 indices of 320 randomly selected strawberry seedlings. The comprehensive evaluation index of strawberry seedlings was in the range of 0.165-0.817, indicating that the comprehensive evaluation index could totally reflect the quality of seedlings and could be used as the evaluation basis. The 16 individual indices of strawberry seedlings were classified into three principal components, including aboveground related indicators, underground related indicators, and the pigment indicators. The cumulative contribution rate of three principal components was 79.7%. Twenty-seven seedlings index models were combined by randomly selecting three indices with a large contribution value from each principal component. Five strawberry seedlings index mo-dels were selected from 27 models due to the highest correlation with the comprehensive evaluation index. Among them, the model "aboveground dry weight×root surface area×chlorophyll a" was identified as the optimal one to evaluate the quality of strawberry seedlings, due to the highest correlation with the comprehensive evaluation index. The correlation coefficient of between strong seedling index and comprehensive evaluation index in three strawberry variety 'Benihoppe', 'Kantoseika' and 'Sweet Charlie' were 0.879, 0.924, and 0.975, respectively. According to the comprehensive evaluation index, the quality of strawberry seedlings were classified into three grades: grade Ⅰ (comprehensive evaluation index ≥0.5, seedling index ≥4.0) with high-quality seedlings; grade Ⅱ (comprehensive evaluation index 0.3-0.5, seedling index 0.5-4.0) with qualified seedlings; grade Ⅲ (comprehensive evaluation index ≤0.3, seedling index ≤0.5) with weak seedlings. The results provided a theoretical basis and scientific method for the evaluation of the health status of strawberry seedlings or other fruits and vegetable seedlings.

[Effects of Solanum lycopersicum rootstock on biomass, amnio acid content and reactive oxygen species metabolism of grafted seedlings under salt stress]. / ç›èƒè¿«ä¸‹ç•ªèŒ„ç §æœ¨å¯¹å«æŽ¥è‹—ç”Ÿç‰©é‡ã€æ°¨åŸºé ¸å«é‡å’Œæ´»æ€§æ°§ä»£è°¢çš„å½±å“.

To explore the mechanism of Solanum lycopersicum rootstock function in enhancing salt tolerance of grafted seedlings, we examined the growth, Na+ accumulation, amino acid contents and active oxygen metabolism (ROS) in three grafted seedlings treated with and without 175 mmol·L-1 NaCl conditions. RS grafted seedlings were formed by split grafting using salt-sensitive variety 'Zhongza 9'(S) as scion and salt-tolerant variety 'OZ-006'(R) as rootstock, while the other two experiment materials were the scion self-grafted (SS) and rootstock self-grafted (RR) seedlings. The results showed that NaCl stress significantly increased the salt damage index and Na+ content, concomitantly with substantial decrease in growth rate and chlorophyll content of seedlings. More-over, there were significant differences among the grafting combinations, with an order of SS>RS>RR. NaCl stress significantly increased total amino acid content in the leaves and roots of the grafted seedlings. The amino acid contents were significantly higher than those in the control. There were 9 kinds of amino acid in RR and RS leaves, and 8 kinds in RR and RS roots, with the most significant change in proline. Only 2 and 4 kinds of amino acids in leaves and roots of SS were significantly higher than those in control, respectively. Amino acid contents among three grafted seedlings showed RR>RS>SS under NaCl stress. The contents of amino acid in RR and RS leaves increased by 32.8% and 16.6% compared with SS, and those in RR and RS roots increased by 53.1% and 32.5%, respectively. The changes of ROS were caused by NaCl stress, which enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, the production rate of O2-· and MDA content in both leaves and roots. Among different grafted seedlings, RR had the most prominent increase of antioxidant enzymes activities in leaves and roots, followed by RS, and SS showed the smallest. The active oxygen levels among the three grafted seedlings were show as SS>RS>RR. In summary, rootstock alleviated salt damage of grafted seedlings by inhibiting Na+ transport upward, enhancing amino acid content and antioxidant enzyme activities. The salt tolerance ability showed remarkable difference among three different combinations of rootstock and scion, with a order of RR>RS>SS. Our results suggested that salt tolerance of S. lycopersicum grafted seedlings was mainly affected by the ability of rootstock salt tolerance, followed by scion, and also closely related to the regulation of both amino acid and active oxygen metabolism in seedlings.

Adrenal schwannoma: CT, MR manifestations and pathological correlation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging features of adrenal schwannoma and to correlate imaging findings with histopathologic findings. METHODS: The findings from multiphase CT or MRI examinations of seventeen patients with histopathologically confirmed adrenal schwannoma were reviewed. The imaging criteria included shape, size, margin, attenuation, signal intensity, secondary degeneration, and internal mass enhancement pattern. RESULTS: All cases were unilateral, round or oval solitary tumors, with diameters ranging from approximately 2.5 to 8.8 cm (median = 4.5 cm). Of the twelve cases assessed using CT, adrenal schwannoma appeared as well-circumscribed round or oval low-density suprarenal masses with a mean attenuation values of 30.1 HU of solid portions during unenhanced phase. Ten cases exhibited heterogeneous cyst formation, and one case showed calcification. Internal septa were noted in 5 cases. All solid areas displayed early mild heterogeneous enhancement and delayed progressive enhancement. Regarding MRI, solid portions of five masses were hypointense to the liver parenchyma on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and were heterogeneously hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). The enhanced pattern of solid areas of adrenal schwannoma on MRI is similar to that of CT. Cystic or hemorrhagic changes were noted in 4 cases and internal septa were noted in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Although schwannoma is a rare entity in the adrenal gland, we believe that the following signs may suggest the diagnosis of this entity: a non-lipid containing mass, a well-defined border, a unilateral mass with cystic or hemorrhagic degeneration, septa with delayed enhancement and a characteristic progressive contrast enhancement pattern of the solid portions.

[Effects of exogenous polyamines on the growth and activities of H+-ATPase and H+-PPase in cucumber seedling roots under hypoxia stress].

The effects of exogenous polyamines on the growth, polyamines contents, the activities of H(+)-ATPase and H(+)-PPase of plasma membrane and tonoplast in cucumber seedling roots under root-zone hypoxia stress were studied under hydroponic culture. The results showed that the growth of cucumber roots was significantly inhibited by hypoxia stress (Table 1). While the growth inhibition in cucumber roots by hypoxia stress could be alleviated by spraying exogenous polyamines. From these results (Table 1 and 2) we can conclude that Spd played an active physiological role in relieving hypoxia stress and Put exerted actively physiological role by enhancing Spd biosynthesis. The results also showed that the endogenous polyamine contents in cucumber roots were increased by hypoxia stress and spraying exogenous polyamines. Exogenous polyamines application obviously promoted the H(+)-ATPase activities of plasma membrane in cucumber roots (Fig.1), but did not significantly affect the H(+)-ATPase and H(+)-PPase activities of tonoplast in cucumber roots (Fig.2,3). The results suggested that exogenous polyamines could enhance hypoxia resistance of cucumber seedlings by increasing H(+)-ATPase activities of plasma membrane in cucumber roots.

[Effects of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid on antioxidant enzyme activity and reactive oxygen content in muskmelon seedlings under nutrient solution hypoxia stress].

The effects of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on antioxidant defense system and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in seedlings of two varieties with different resistance to hypoxia stress were studied under hypoxia stress in a nutrient solution culture system. The results showed that GABA treatments enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzyme including SOD (Fig. 1), POD (Fig. 2), CAT (Fig. 3), while the concentrations of H2O2 (Fig. 4), O(-.)2 (Fig. 5), MDA (Fig. 6) decreased under hypoxia stress. Among the treatments of three different GABA concentrations, the effect of 50 mmol/L GABA treatment was better than that of 25 mmol/L GABA and 100 mmol/L GABA treatments. The effect of treatment with GABA in "Dongfang xingguang" seedlings, which had stronger hypoxia-resistance to hypoxia stress, were better than that in "Xiyu No.1" seedlings which had lower hypoxia-resistance. It indicates that GABA treatment of exogenous spraying to leaves can increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme under the hypoxia stress and plays an important role in enhancing the resistance to hypoxia stress of muskmelon seedlings through keeping low ROS contents.

[Influence of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA metabolism and amino acid contents in roots of melon seedling under hypoxia stress].

This paper investigated the influence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA metabolism and amino acid content under hypoxia stress by accurately controlling the level of dissolved oxygen in hydroponics, using the roots of melon 'Xiyu 1' seedlings as the test material. The results showed that compared with the control, the growth of roots was inhibited seriously under hypoxia stress. Meanwhile, the hypoxia-treated roots had significantly higher activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as the contents of GABA, pyruvic acid, alanine (Ala) and aspartic acid (Asp). But the contents of glutamic acid (Glu) and alpha-keto glutaric acid in roots under hypoxia stress was obviously lower than those of the control. Exogenous treatment with GABA alleviated the inhibition effect of hypoxia stress on root growth, which was accompanied by an increase in the contents of endogenous GABA, Glu, alpha-keto glutaric acid and Asp. Furthermore, under hypoxia stress, the activities of GAD, GDH, GOGAT, GS, ALT, AST as well as the contents of pyruvic acid and Ala significantly decreased in roots treated with GABA. However, adding GABA and viny-gamma-aminobutyric acid (VGB) reduced the alleviation effect of GABA on melon seedlings under hypoxia stress. The results suggested that absorption of GABA by roots could alleviate the injury of hypoxia stress to melon seedlings. This meant that GABA treatment allows the normal physiological metabolism under hypoxia by inhibiting the GAD activity through feedback and maintaining higher Glu content as well as the bal- ance of carbon and nitrogen.

A modified total arch replacement combined with a stented elephant trunk implantation for acute type A dissection under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion.

OBJECTIVES: Since the optimal management of patients with acute aortic dissection is unclear, this study analyzed total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation in the treatment of acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: Between February 2008 and February 2013, 86 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital for acute type A dissection underwent total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The Bentall, David, and Wheat procedure was performed on 46, 12 and two patients, respectively. Ascending aorta replacement was performed on 26 patients, while two patients in Bentall group and 7 in ascending aorta replacement group underwent coronary artery bypass grafting as a concomitant procedure. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were male and 17 patients were female, with an average age of 45.2 ± 2.3 years. The in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. Two patients presented with persisting paraplegia. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 186.3 ± 45.2 minutes and the myocardium ischemia time was 102.6 ± 28.1 minutes. Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time was 29.4 ± 10.3 minutes. Low-body circulatory arrest time was 18.5 ± 8.4 minutes. Mechanical ventilation time was 80.7 ± 11.3 hours. ICU and hospital stays were 5.3 ± 4.8 and 16.8 ± 5.5 days, respectively. Seven patients underwent reoperation for bleeding. During a mean follow-up of 28.5 months, two patients died and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Obliteration of the false lumen around the stented graft and at the diaphragmatic level occurred in 97.1% (68 of 70) and 70% (49 of 70) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Modified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation using selective antegrade cerebral perfusion is a safe and effective alternative for patients with acute type A dissection and produces satisfactory clinical outcomes in our center.

Phosphatidic acid (PA) binds PP2AA1 to regulate PP2A activity and PIN1 polar localization.

Phospholipase D (PLD) exerts broad biological functions in eukaryotes through regulating downstream effectors by its product, phosphatidic acid (PA). Protein kinases and phosphatases, such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) and Protein Phosphatase 2C (PP2C), are PA-binding proteins that execute crucial regulatory functions in both animals and plants. PA participates in many signaling pathways by modulating the enzymatic activity and/or subcellular localization of bound proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that PLD-derived PA interacts with the scaffolding A1 subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and regulates PP2A-mediated PIN1 dephosphorylation in Arabidopsis. Genetic and pharmacological studies showed that both PA and PP2A participate in the regulation of auxin distribution. In addition, both the phosphorylation status and polar localization of PIN1 protein were affected by PLD inhibitors. Exogenous PA triggered the membrane accumulation of PP2AA1 and enhanced the PP2A activity at membrane, while PLD inhibition resulted in the reduced endosomal localization and perinuclear aggregation of PP2AA1. These results demonstrate the important role of PLD-derived PA in normal PP2A-mediated PIN dephosphorylation and reveal a novel mechanism, in which PA recruits PP2AA1 to the membrane system and regulates PP2A function on membrane-targeted proteins. As PA and PP2A are conserved among eukaryotes, other organisms might use similar mechanisms to mediate multiple biological processes.

[Effects of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid on polyamine metabolism of melon seedlings under hypoxia stress].

Taking melon cultivar 'Xiyu No. 1 ' as test material, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the seedlings polyamine metabolism under hypoxia stress. Compared with the control in normoxic treatment, the seedlings under hypoxia stress had significantly higher glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity and GABA content, and their polyamine synthesis enzymes activities all enhanced significantly, which led to a marked increase of polyamines contents. Meanwhile, the seedlings leaf- and root diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities also had a significant increase. The increment of root arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity was higher, which induced a higher content of free putrescine (Put) in roots, while the increment of leaf ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities were higher, inducing a higher content of free spermidine (Spd) in leaves. The PBs-extractable DAO and PAO activies in roots were significantly lower than those in leaves, but the cell wall-bound PAO activity was in adverse. Under hypoxia stress, the addition of exogenous GABA increased the leaf- and root GABA and glutamic acid contents and decreased the GAD activity significantly. The increase of arginine, ornithine, and methionine contents promoted the activities of polyamines synthesis enzymes, which led to the significant increase of polyamines contents and the significant decrease of DAO and PAO activities.

[Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid on the photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of muskmelon seedlings under hypoxia stress].

By the method of hydroponic culture, this paper studied the effects of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of muskmelon seedlings under hypoxia stress. Hypoxia stress induced a significant decrease of photosynthetic pigment contents, resulting in the decrease of photosynthesis. Applying GABA could significantly increase the photosynthetic pigment contents, net photosynthetic rate (P(n)), stomatal conductance (G(s)), intercellular CO2 concentration (C(i)), carboxylation efficiency (CE), maximal photochemical efficiency of PS II (F(v)/F(m)), photochemical quenching (q(P)), apparent photosynthetic electron transfer rate (ETR), and quantum yield of PS II electron transport (phi(PS II)), and decrease the stomatal limitation value (L(s)), minimal fluorescence (F(o)), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) under both hypoxic and normal conditions. The alleviation effect of GABA on photosynthetic characteristics was more obvious under hypoxia stress. However, simultaneously applying GABA and VGB could significantly decrease the alleviation effect of GABA under hypoxia stress.

Evaluation of recombinant fowlpox virus expressing infectious bronchitis virus S1 gene and chicken interferon-γ gene for immune protection against heterologous strains.

A recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV-IFNγS1) that co-expressed the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) S1 gene and the chicken interferon-γ gene has been constructed. To evaluate the efficacy of the recombinant fowlpox virus vaccine against heterotypic IBV strains, 60 4-week-old Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) chickens were inoculated with this vaccine and 3 weeks post inoculation challenged with the homotypic IBV strain LX4 and the heterotypic IBV strains LHB, LHLJ04XI, LTJ95I and LSC99I. Antibodies against IBV were detected in vaccinated chickens 1-week post inoculation. The number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood increased rapidly in the vaccinated groups challenged with strains LX4, LHB and LHLJ04XI. There were significant differences in the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes between the vaccinated groups challenged with strains LTJ95I and LSC99I and all the control groups. The morbidity was below 30% in vaccinated groups challenge with strains LX4, LHB and LHLJ04XI, but was 40% greater than that in the other groups. In addition, the lesions and the amount of virus shedding were less severe in the vaccinated groups challenged by strains LX4, LHB and LHLJ04XI when compared with the other groups, but there was no significant difference in the average body weight of the chickens in all groups (all p>0.05). These results indicate that the rFPV-IFNγS1 protected chickens against challenge with homotypic IBV strain LX4 and heterotypic strains LHLJ04XI and LHB.

[Effect of ischemic preconditioning on lung injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion in the hind limbs of rats].

AIM: To study the effect of ischemic preconditioning on lung injury following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in the hind limbs of rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): control group,limbs ischemia/reperfusion (LI/R) group, ischemia preconditioning (IPC) group and L-NAME group. At the end of the experiment, blood/gas analysis and the contents of serum MDA, NO, ET and lung tissue MDA, NO, ET, MPO were measured. Meanwhile, lung index and W/D) of lung were measured. RESULTS: After the rats' hind limbs suffered ischemia/reperfusion, the level of PaO2 decreased and the values of W/D, LI, MPO of the lung issure and MDA, NO, ET of plasma and lung all increased significantly in the LI/R group; but the ratio of NO/ET decreased. Compared with LI/R group, the contents of NO and ratio of NO/ET increased but other parameters decreased in the IPC group. Compared with IPC group, the contents of NO and ratio of NO/ET decreased, but other parameters increased in the L-NAME group. CONCLUSION: The IPC can attenuate lung injury following IR in the hind limbs of rats, which may correlated with the increase of NO.