〔Abstract〕 Objective To study the influences of intercellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 and interleukin(IL)-17 expressions in myocardial tissues after preservation and transplantation of rabbit heart allograft with three different perfusion methods of HTK solution(simple low temperature immersion, continuous or intermittent 2 h perfusion), and explore the mechanism of HTK infusion types on acute rejection after heart transplantation. Method 18 pairs healthy 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits(mean weight 2.15±0.33 kg, male and female in half) were chosed and divided randomly into three groups: simple low temperature immersion group(simple group,n=5 pairs), continuous group(n=5 pairs) and intermittent 2 h perfusion group(intermittent group,n=8 pairs). Donor hearts were isolated with perfusing HTK solution through aortic root to arrest and protect the heart, and then preserved for 8 h at 4 ℃. According to modified Ono procedure, heart transplantation model was established and donor heart was removed. Then pathological changes with HE staining was observed, quantitative expressions of ICAM-1 and IL-17 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and apoptotic rate was detected by TUNEL. Results HE staining showed that most myocardial tissues in the three groups were intact, accompanied by cell edema, myxoid degeneration or necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, adipogenesis and angiogenesis. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that the number of cell edema, inflammatory cells and small vessels in the intermittent group was significantly less than that in the continuous group, which was the most in the simple group(P<0.05). Quantitative detection showed that ICAM-1 and IL-17 mRNAs and protein were significantly lower in the intermittent group than those in the continuous group, which was the highest in the simple group(P<0.05). What's more, the apoptotic rate in the intermittent group was more less than that in the continuous group, and that in the simple group was the most(P<0.05). Conclusion Different perfusion methods of HTK solution have different effects on acute rejection after allograft heart transplantation in rabbits, especially it can significantly reduce ICAM-1 and IL-17 expressions in recipient myocardium and inhibit apoptotic effect with intermittent 2 h perfusion.