OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on small intestine's viability in an experimental model of acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided in four groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before reperfusion (group D). Malondialdehyde (MDA) tissue levels and d-lactate blood samples were taken. All tissue sections were examined under light microscope.RESULTS: Mean MDA levels in group A: 1.79 +/- 0.97 at 0 min, 2.25 +/- 1.76 at 120 min and 3.70 +/- 1.76 nmols/g at 180 min. Group B: 2.60 +/- 0.58 at 0 min, 4.20 +/- 0.58 at 120 min and 5.48 +/- 2.01 at 180 min. Group C: 1.54 +/- 0.85 at 0 min, 1.14 +/- 0.37 at 120 min and 0.59 +/- 0.35 at 180 min. Group D: 2.12 +/- 0.62 at 0 min, 3.97 +/- 0.70 at 120 min and 2.32 +/- 0.37 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Mean d-lactate levels in group A: at 0 min 36.45 +/- 1.99, at 120 min 39.10 +/- 2.37 and at 180 min 40.05 +/- 2.13 mg/dl. Group B: 61.23 +/- 11.03 at 0 min, 74.84 +/- 10.70 at 120 min and 89.90 +/- 9.29 at 180 min. Group C: at 0 min 51.05 +/- 10.36, at 120 min 56.07 +/- 11.27 and at 180 min 57.20 +/- 11.19. Group D: 64.36 +/- 5.26 at 0 min, 72.55 +/- 7.19 at 120 min and 77.02 +/- 9.41 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated a significant improvement in the groups of oxygenated PFCs compared with I/R group.CONCLUSION: Intraluminal administration of oxygenated PFCs seems that protect the intestine from the I/R injury.