Background An inflammatory response leading to organ dysfunction and failure continues to be a major problem after injury in many clinical conditions such as sepsis,severe burns,and trauma.It is increasingly recognized that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) possesses a broad range of biological activities,including effects on endothelial function and inflammation.A recent study has revealed that ANP exerts anti-inflammatory effects.In this study we tested the effects of human ANP (hANP) on lung injury in a model of oleic acid (OA)-induced acute lung injury (ALl) in rats.Methods Rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=6 in each group).Rats in the control group received a 0.9％ solution of NaCl (1 ml.kg1.h-1) by continuous intravenous infusion,after 30 minutes a 0.9％ solution of NaCl (1 ml/kg) was injected intravenously,and then the 0.9％ NaCl infusion was restarted.Rats in the ALl group received a 0.9％ NaCl solution (1 ml·kg-1·h-1) intravenous infusion,after 30 minutes OA was injected intravenously (0.1 ml/kg),and then the 0.9％ NaCl infusion was restarted.Rats in the hANP-treated ALI group received a hANP (0.1μg·kg-1·min-1) infusion,after 30 minutes OA was injected intravenously (0.1 ml/kg),and then the hANP infusion was restarted.The anti-inflammation effects of hANP were evaluated by histological examination and determination of serum cytokine levels.Results Serum intedeukin (IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α were increased in the ALI group at six hours.The levels of all factors were significantly lower in the hANP treated rats (P ＜0.005).Similarly,levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α were higher in the lung tissue in the ALI group at six hours.hANP treatment significantly reduced the levels of these factors in the lungs (P ＜0.005).Histological examination revealed marked reduction in interstitial congestion,edema,and inflammation.Conclusion hANP can attenuate inflammation in an OA-induced lung injury in rat model.