ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of lung injury in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats induced by acute organic phosphorus pesticides (AOPP) by observing the changes of the blood serum nuclear factor (NF)-κB consistence, NF-κB level of lung tissue and lung coefficient. MethodNinety-six healthy male SD rats (six weeks old) were randomly divided into group A (control, n=48) and group B (poison, n=48). The rats of group B were given omethoate by gavage (45 mg/kg), and the rats of group A accepted normal saline. Then the rats were killed at designated observing points (30 minutes; 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours), and the lung coefficient, blood serum NF-κB consistence and NF-κB level of lung tissue were measured. At the same time, we observed the pathological changes of the rats' lung tissue. ResultsCompared with group A, blood serum NF-κB consistence, NF-κB level of lung tissue and the level of lung coefficient in group B were significantly higher (P<0.01). The lung tissues of group A were normal at each time point, but in group B, the lung pathological changes gradually appeared 30 minutes later with pulmonary interstitial engorging, alveolar septum widening and some alveolus being full of red blood cells, and this situation reached its peak at hour 12. Then it gradually mitigated from 24 to 48 hours. ConclusionThere are significant increases in blood serum NF-κB consistence and NF-κB level in lung tissues in rats with lung injury induced by omethoate poisoning. The NF-κB may play a role in the process of lung injury induced by organophosphorus pesticide.