ObjectiveTo study the effect of retrograde perfusion through the inferior vena cava (IVC) during moderate hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest on malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the serum, liver and kidney of pigs. MethodsTwenty healthy pigs were randomly divided into two groups: group A had moderate hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest for 90 min, group B had moderate hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest and retrograde perfusion through IVC at the same time. SOD activities and MDA contents in the serum, liver and kidney were analyzed before retrograde perfusion(T1),1 h after circulatory arrest(T2), and 1 h (T3), 3 h (T4), and 5 h (T5) after reperfusion. ResultsThere were no significant differences in SOD activities and MDA contents in the serum, liver or kidney between the two groups at T1(P<0. 05). Serum MDA contents were increased and the SOD activities were decreased in both groups at T3, T4, and T5, with the changes in group B being significantly small than those in group A (P<0.05). MDA contents in the liver and kidney in group A were significantly higher and the SOD activities were significantly lower than those in group B at T2-T5 (P<0.05). ConclusionRetrograde perfusion with autologous blood through IVC can partly alleviate the ischemic-reperfusion injury of liver and kidney during moderate hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest in pigs, showing a protective effect on the hepatic and renal function.