Abstract: AIM: To observe the protective effect of rhubarb on enteric mucosa strucu and permeability of rats intestine after ischemia reperfusion, and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: 30 male SD rats were divided into Rhubarb, Model and Control Groups randomly(n= 10). The model rats were established by blocking superior mesenteric artery (SMA)，and total parenteral alimentation (TPN) was done. Rhubarb and the same volume of nommal saline were given orally in Rhubarb and Model goups respectively. SMA was decoherenced but not blocked in Control Group. The 24 h urine was collected at day 3 after the operation and the enteric mucosa permeability was determined by disaccharide assay. The 10 cm jejunum and 10 cm ileum were collected at day 6 for mucosa structure and HSP70 study. RESULTS: The enteric mucosa pemmeability of Control and Rhubarb group were lower than that in Molel Group (P< 0.01)，though that in Rhubarb Group was higher than that in Contol Group, there wasno statistical diference (P> 0.05). The villi height and mucosa thickness of small intestine in Model Group were significantly lower than those of Control and Rhubarb Group(P< 0.01). Those of Rhubarb Group were similar to those of Control Group (P> 0.05). There was no statistics difference between three groups in full thickness of small intestine. The content of HSP70 in Model Group was much lower than those in Control and Rhubarb Groups(P< 0.01). The content of HSP70 in Rhubarb group was higher than that in Control Group,but there was no statistics difference (P> 0.05).CONCLUSION: Administration of rhubarb orally can decrease the enteric mucosa structure and permeability change after I/R in jury. Rhubarb protects the gut maybe by inducing more expresed HSP70 in the intestine.

Key words: rhubaub, intestinal ischemia, reperfusion, heat shock protein 70