Objective  To observe the changes of intestinal permeability of severely burnt rat and investigate the role of Rho kinase in this process.   Methods  Fifty-six SD rats were included. Eight rats served as normal control. Burnt rat model was established in the other 48 rats

among which 8 rats were i.p. injected with Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632. The changes of intestinal permeability and the mucosa protein ROCKⅡ

myosin light chain (MLC)

holistic expression in 40 burnt rats were examined in the end-piece ileum at 1

2

6

12 and 24 h after burn

and in those of 8 rats in intervention group as well as in normal control.    Results  The intestinal permeability increased significantly in the severely burnt rats

and reached the highest in 6-12 h after burn. Phosphorylated MLC and ROCKⅡ increased obviously after severe burn

but Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 counteracted this effect.   Conclusion  Rho kinase-mediated phosphorylation of MLC pathway is one of molecular mechanisms of increased intestinal permeability and impaired barrier function after severe burn.