ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the process of apoptosis in lungs and liver induced by crushing hindlimbs of rat, and study the mechanism of crush injury.@*METHODS@#The rat experimental model of hindlimbs crush injury was established. The cell apoptosis in lungs and liver was detected by TUNEL assay, and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 apoptin was examined by immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the partial muscle injury of rat's hindlimbs was more serious with more apoptosis observed in lungs and liver (P < 0.05). The expression of Bax was up-regulated and Bcl-2 was down-regulated, whereas caspase-3 expression was activated (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The cell apoptosis has increased significantly in lungs and liver after crush injury of hindlimbs in rat. The correlation factor released during tissue injury may mediate apoptosis process.