Objective To study the interaction and mechanism of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) receptor/thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor (IP/TP) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in ischemia reperfusion injury after liver transplantation of rat. Methods Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group （n=16), orthotropic liver transplantation group （n=32) and nimesulide intervention group （n=32). The samples were obtained at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after operation. The expressions of COX-2, IP and TP mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of COX-2. Hematoxylin Eosin staining was used to classify the injury extent of liver. Serum ALT and AST levels were detected to evaluate the changes of liver enzyme. Results COX-2 protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry in orthotropic liver transplantation group mainly distributed in the district of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, liver cells and macrophage cells, which was significantly higher than control group and nimesulide intervention group. Expressions of IP mRNA, TP mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in the orthotropic liver transplantation group were significantly increased than those in control group (P＜0.05), and the ratio of IP/TP increased (P＜0.05). Expressions of IP mRNA and TP mRNA in nimesulide intervention group were significantly lower than that in the orthotropic liver transplantation group at 6 h and 12 h after operation (P＜0.05), and the ratio of IP/TP decreased at 3 h, 6 h and 24 h after operation (P＜0.05). The expression of COX-2 mRNA in nimesulide intervention group was significantly lower than that in the orthotropic liver transplantation group at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after operation. In orthotropic liver transplantation group liver injury was obvious by HE staining, and more severve than that in nimesulide intervention group. Serum AST (each time) and ALT (3 h, 6 h and 12 h) levels in the orthotropic liver transplantation group were significantly higher than that in control group and nimesulide intervention group (P＜0.05) and peaked at 6 h after operation. Conclusion The balance of IP/TP takes part in and plays an important role in the ischemia reperfusion injury of liver transplantation. Changing imbalance of IP/TP may reduce liver transplantation ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting COX-2 expression.