ObjectiveTo study the influence of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) preconditioning on the liver function and expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) during early stage following liver transplantation,and to investigate the possible mechanism of rhEPO preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.MethodsTwenty-six patients with advanced hepatic cirrhosis were randomly divided into two groups(n=13): the rhEPo pre-treatment group received subcutaneous injection of rhEPO 100 U/kg at 1,3 and 5 d before liver transplantation,and the control group received 2 ml normal saline in the same manner. The peripheral blood samples were harvested at 1,2,4 and 6 h after blood supply recovery in the donator liver to examine the hepatic functions. The NF-κB p65 expression in the peripheral blood samples were examined by Western blotting analysis,the TNF-α level in the blood was detected by ABC enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Serum ALT and AST were also determined.ResultsThe liver function indices and the levels of serum NF-κB p65,TNF-α in the rhEPO pre-treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionPre-treatment with rhEPO can inhibit hepatic inflammation early after liver transplantation,protecting hepatic function and reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.