Objective        NF-κB essential modulator binding domain peptides (NBD peptides) interfere the formation of IκB kinase complex (IKK) and down-regulate the classical NF-κB signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of NBD peptides pretreatment on ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) after orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.       Methods      A total of 105 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups

NBD group (donors were given 8 mg/kg NBD peptides intra-peritoneally in 2 h before surgery and performed orthotropic liver transplantation according to the Kamada technique

totally 24 pairs)

control group (treated with the same volume of physiological saline

totally 24 pairs) and sham-operation group (n=9). Animals were sacrificed at 3

6

and 24 h after surgery. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured in the 3 groups. The levels of IKK phosphorylation and IκBα degradation

NF-κB transcriptional activity and cell apoptosis were detected by Western blotting

EMSA and TUNEL respectively. Morphological changes of liver tissues were observed after HE staining.       Results        The levels of ALT and TNF-α in the both NBD group and control group were significantly higher than that of sham-operation group (P0.05). Compared with the control group

pretreatment with NBD peptides had significantly lower ALT level

NF-κB transcriptional activity

IKK complex phosphorylation

and TNF-α levels  (P0.05)

while enhanced IκBα expression (P0.05). NBD peptides pretreatment also ameliorated the pathological damages and cell apoptosis in 6 h after operation.       Conclusion        NBD peptides pretreatment attenuates hepatic IRI by preventing NF-κB activation.