Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or its mRNA expression are increased in acute nephrosis of various types including ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was undertaken to determine whether pentoxifylline (PTX), an inhibitor of TNF-α production, provides a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury in rabbit renal cortical slices. To induce hypoxia-induced cell injury, renal cortical slices were exposed to 100% N₂ atmosphere. Control slices were exposed to 100% O₂ atmosphere. The cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake. Exposure of slices to hypoxia increased the LDH release in a time-dependent manner. However, when slices were exposed to hypoxia in the presence of PTX, the LDH release was decreased. The protective effect of PTX was dose-dependent over the concentrations of 0.05∼1 mM. Hypoxia did not increase lipid peroxidation, whereas an organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. PTX did not affect tBHP-induced lipid peroxidation. Hypoxia decreased PAH uptake, which was significantly attenuated by PTX and glycine. tBHP-induced inhibition of PAH uptake was not altered by PTX, although it was prevented by antioxidant deferoxarnine. The PAH uptake by slices in rabbits with ischemic acute renal failure was prevented by PTX pretreatment. These results suggest that PTX may exert a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury and its effect may due to inhibition of the TNF-α production, but not by its antioxidant action.