Abstract： Objective To investigate the protective effects of adenosine (ADO) on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury following heart-lung transplantation in canine. Methods Canine heart-lung transplantation was performed．Canines were divided into two groups: transplant control groupand ADO group. The changes of arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2) after reperfusion in two groups at 30，60，90，120 min were observed．The tissue contents of nitric oxide (NO) were measured at 10 min before ischemia, 10 min and 120 min after ischemia; 10 min and 60 min after reperfusion．The lung tissue samples were obtained 1h after reperfusion．The tissue myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity,content of malondialdehyde(MDA), content of superoxide dismutase(SOD), wet/dry ratio of lung(W/D) were measured.Microscopic examination of lungs was also conducted. Results (1)In ADO group，PaO2 were significantly higher than that in control group at 30，60，90 and 120 min after reperfusion (Plt;0.05)．(2) The tissue contents of NO at 120 min after ischemia, 10 min and 60 min after reperfusion were significantly lower than that at 10 min before ischemia(Plt;0.05). In ADO group，the tissue contents of NO at 120 min after ischemia, 10 min and 60 min after reperfusion were higher than that in control group respectively(Plt;0.05). (3)The tissue MPO activity, content of MDA, W/D in ADO group were significantly lower than those in corresponding control group. The content of SOD in ADO group were higher than that in control group(Plt;0. 05)．(4)The microscopic examination showed that there were severe leukocyte infiltration and edema formation in the alveolar space in control group, but the changes were less severe in ADO group. Conclusion Administration of ADO in canine heart-lung transplantation can protect the donor lung against ischemia／reperfusion injury．