Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key mediator of multiple organ injury observed in septic shock. The mechanisms responsible for LPS-induced multiple organ injury remain obscure. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the LPS-induced injury occurs through activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). We examined the effects of inhibiting NF-kappaB activation in vivo in the rat on LPS-induced: 1) gene and protein expression of the cytokine-inducible neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1); b) neutrophil influx into lungs, heart, and liver; and c) increase in microvascular permeability induced by LPS in these organs. LPS (8 mg/kg, i.v.) challenge of rats activated NF-kappaB and induced CINC and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expression. Pretreatment of rats with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, prevented LPS-induced I-kappaBalpha degradation and the resultant NF-kappaB activation and inhibited, in a dose-related manner, the LPS-induced CINC and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expression. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate also markedly reduced the LPS-induced tissue myeloperoxidase activity (an indicator of tissue neutrophil retention) and the LPS-induced increase in microvascular permeability in these organs. These results demonstrate that NF-kappaB activation is an important in vivo mechanism mediating LPS-induced CINC and ICAM-1 expression, as well as neutrophil recruitment, and the subsequent organ injury. Thus, inhibition of NF-kappaB activation may be an important strategy for the treatment of sepsis-induced multiple organ injury.