Objective    To silence ribosome protein S3 (RPS3) gene in donor livers using RNAi technique

and to observe the influence on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and the protective effect on early ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) after orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.     Methods    Recombinant adenovirus-RPS3-shRNA granules were constructed. Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: an Ad-RPS3-shRNA group

an Ad-blank-control group

and an NS-control group. Ad-RPS3-shRNA granules

blank adenovirus granules

and normal saline were injected into donor rats in the three groups at 48 h before the donor livers were harvested. The liver tissues and blood samples were harvested in 3 and 12 h after the liver transplantation. Liver function

plasma inflammatory factor level

and liver histopathological change were assessed. Meanwhile

the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors in liver tissues were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blotting were used to assess the activity and level of NF-κB.     Results    At 3 h after reperfusion following liver transplantation

the serum ALT level and serum AST level were 725.9±67.3 U/L and 863.7±72.7 U/L in the Ad-RPS3-shRNA group. The TNF-α

IL-1β and ICAM-1 levels in plasma were 223.7±16.8 ng/L

242.5±18.7 ng/L and 258.4±24.9 ng/L

while the mRNA levels of TNF-α

IL-1β and ICAM-1 in liver tissues were 0.252±0.026 ng/L

0.217±0.028 ng/L

and 0.226±0.017 ng/L. Suzuki score was 3.72±0.31

and liver RPS3 mRNA level was 0.094±0.007 ng/L. The liver NF-κB level and activity were 0.216±0.022 and 92.4±9.5

respectively. The above indexes in the Ad-RPS3-shRNA group were significantly lower than those in the Ad-blank-control and the NS-control group (P0.01). There was no statistical difference between the Ad-blank-control group and the NS-control group (P0.05). At 12 h after reperfusion following liver transplantation

the above indexes showed the same change tendency as those at 3 h after reperfusion.     Conclusion    Silencing RPS3 gene in donor livers significantly down-regulates the level and activity of NF-κB

inhibits the over-expression of inflammatory factors

and reduces early I/RI after orthotopic liver transplantation.