ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different administration methods of tranexamic acid on postoperative pulmonary inflammation response during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).MethodsA total of 64 SD rats were included in the study. They were randomly divided into eight different groups. CPB model was established for the operation groups. The rats in the operation groups were given tranexamic acid at low (25 mg/kg), medium (50 mg/kg) or high (100 mg/kg) concentrations before or after the CPB. Blood cells count and coagulation function were assessed 1 hour after surgery. The concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β、IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in blood and lung lavage fluid were measured. The infiltration of inflammatory cells in lungs was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.ResultsThe concentration of inflammatory cells in the operation groups was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The use of tranexamic acid inhibited the increase of IL-6 and TNF-α in whole blood and lung lavage fluid due to CPB (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among the experimental groups (P>0.05). Tranexamic acid could reduce the exudation of inflammatory cells in the lungs.ConclusionThe use of tranexamic acid can effectively reduce the release of inflammatory factors and reduce acute lung injury caused by CPB in rat models. But simply increasing the dose or changing the timing of administration is not more effective in reducing the intensity of the inflammatory response.