This study was undertaken to determine whether or not prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) analog pretreatment could successfully preserve organ viability after warm hepatic ischemia in rats. Although 120-min ischemia of the liver did not permit survival in rats administered normal saline solution (NS group) before warm ischemia, the survival rate of PGI2 analogue (500 ng/kg/min)-treated rats (PG group) significantly improved to 57% (P less than 0.05). Recirculation following 120-min hepatic ischemia in the NS group resulted in no improvement of B-phosphorus of the ATP (B-ATP)/inorganic phosphate (Pi) ratio measured by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance, a marked increase in the serum aspartate aminotransferase (SAST) level, and an increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in liver tissue. In the PG group, the B-ATP/Pi ratio was significantly improved (P less than 0.05), the elevation in SAST was also markedly suppressed (P less than 0.05), and the MDA level of the liver was lowered more than that in the NS group. Severe congestion and extensive vacuolization of hepatocytes from the peripheral to the midzonal areas were histologically exhibited with single-cell necrosis in the NS group. There were fewer histological alterations of the liver and these coincided with the changes in other parameters in the PG group. Our results indicate that PGI2 analog reduces warm ischemic injury of the liver and provides greater protection for organs to be transplanted.