Objective To investigate the effects of therapeutic hypercapnia on type Ⅱ alveolar cells (ATⅡ ) in the transplanted lung in rats.Methods Twenty-eight pathogen free adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 2 groups (n= 14 each) : control group (group C) and therapeutic hypercapnia group (group T). The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 3% pentobarbital 30 mg/kg, tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated with 50% O2-50% N2 (VT 10 ml/kg, RR 60 bpm, I∶ E1∶1). Left lung transplantation was performed. In group T starting from the beginning of reperiusion of the transplanted lung, the animals were ventilated with a mixture of 50% O2-N2 and C02(in appropriate concentrations) to keep PaCO2 between 80-100 mm Hg. After 90 min of reperfusion of the transplanted lung, blood samples were collected from pulmonary vein of the transplanted lung and blood gas analysis was performed. Oxygenation index was calculated.AT II cells were isolated from the transplanted lung and purified and examined with electronic microscope. The apoptosis rate of AT Ⅱ cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results Oxygenation index was significantly higher, the apoptotic rate of ATⅡ cells lower, the damage to ATⅡ cells was less in group T than in group C.Conclusion Therapeutic hypercapnia can protect the AT Ⅱ cells in the transplanted lung and improve the function of the trans planted lung.