Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody on the expression of NF-κB on hepatopulmonary syndrome in rats. and the effects of NF-κB in treating hepatopulmonary syndrome in rats with tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody. METHODS: The experimental models of HPS in rats were built with commom bile duct ligation, and then were injected with TNF-αMcAb （0.1mg/kg.2d）intraperitoneally, Lung histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining; TNF-α concentration in plasma was measured by radioimmunity method ; The endotoxin in the plasma was checked by tachypleus amebocyte lysate kit; Hepatopulmonary syndrome was assessed by measurements of alveoloarterial oxygen difference (P（A-a）O2) . Western blot was employed to investigate the expression and the changes of NF-κB in hepatopulmonary rat lungs. RESULTS: Compared with the CBDL group, there was a gentle vasodilatation and widen interalveolar septum in lung in TNF-α McAb treament group, the level of the P(A-a)O2 was significantly lower (p<0.05). The concentration of ETX and TNF-α were significantly lower(p<0.05). The expression of NF-κB in CBDL+TNF-α McAb group decreased obviously than those in CBDL group(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor necrosis factor-α antibody can attenuate the severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome in rats and reduce activation of NF-κB, Tumor necrosis factor-α antibody can attenuate the severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome through downregulateing the expressiion of NF-κB.

Key words: TNF-α, TNF-α-McAb, hepatopulmonary syndrome, NF-κB