Objective To examine the effect of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI). Methods Twenty-four recipients were randomized into 3 groups including a sham group, a LIRI group, and an EPC group. Rats in the sham group only received anesthesia. Rats in the LIRI and EPC groups received left lung transplantation and received saline or EPC immediately after reperfusion. The partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspiratory oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio, wet-to-dry weight ratio and protein levels in the transplanted lung and inflammation-related factors levels in serum were examined. Histological change of transplanted lung were analyzed. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the transplanted lung was detected. Results Compared with the LIRI group, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio dramaticly increased, and the wet-to-dry weight ratio and protein level significantly decreased by EPC after reperfusion. The lung histological injury was attenuated by EPC. The pro-inflammatory factors in serum were down-regulated, whereas IL-10 was up-regulated in the EPC group. The expression of NF-κB was decreased by EPC. Conclusion EPC ameliorated LIRI after lung transplantation. The protection of EPC partly associated with anti-inflammation.