To further define the relationship between oxygen dependence of lung injury during ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion, we used the isolated, perfused, and ventilated rat lung model, so that oxygenation and perfusion could be separated. During ischemia, lungs were ventilated with various oxygen concentrations and then ventilated with 95% oxygen during the 60-min reperfusion period. Other lungs were ventilated with 0% oxygen (nitrogen) during ischemia, and the reperfusion phase oxygen concentration was varied. Tissue and perfusate lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes), dry-to-wet weight ratio, and lactate dehydrogenase were measured as indexes of lung damage. In addition, electron microscopy of some lungs was performed. Results demonstrate an oxygen dependence of lipid peroxidation in both the ischemic and reperfusion phases, but lipid peroxidation is severalfold greater in the reperfusion than in the ischemic phase. Products of lipid peroxidation closely correlate with indexes of lung injury (dry-to-wet weight ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, and electron microscopy).