Aim: To examine the protective effect of propofol in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in this process. Methods:-Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (i) sham-operated group; (ii) I/R group; and (iii) propofol group. Bilateral renal warm ischemia for 45 rain was performed. After 2, 6, and 24 h reperfusion, blood samples and kidneys were collected for assessment of renal injury, and HO-1 expressions were ana-lyzed by immunohistochemical analysis, RT-PCR and West blotting. Results: Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels in the propofol group were sig-nificantly lower than that in the UR group at 24 h after reperfusion. The mean histological score by Paller’s standard showed that propofol significantly attenu-ated renal I/R injury after 6 h reperfusion. Propofol increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels 2 h after repeffusion, whereas HO-1 expressions were present at exceedingly low levels in the I/R group and the sham-operated group at same time point. Propofol also markedly increased HO- 1 mRNA and protein levels than I/R at 6 and 24 h after reperfusion. Conclusion: These results suggest that propofol mitigates renal I/R injury in rats. This protection may be partly through the induc-tion of the HO- 1 expression.