We hypothesized that resuscitation with 100% O 2 compared with 21% O 2 is detrimental to pulmonary tissue. The pulmonary injury was assessed by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, oxidative stress, IL-8, and histology 2.5 h after resuscitation from a hypoxic state. In pulmonary tissue extracts, MMP activity was analyzed by broad matrix-degrading capacity (total MMP) and zymography. MMP-2 mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Total endogenous antioxidant capacity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and IL-8 was analyzed by ELISA technique. In bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, MMPs were analyzed by zymography. In pulmonary tissue, pro-and active MMP-2 levels were increased in piglets that were resuscitated with 100% O 2 compared with 21% O 2 . Pro-MMP-9, total MMP activity, and MMP-2 mRNA levels were significantly increased in resuscitated piglets compared with baseline. Net gelatinolytic activity increased in submucosa and blood vessels after 100% O 2 and only in the blood vessels after 21% O 2 . Compared with baseline, ORAC values were considerably lowered in the resuscitated piglets and significantly reduced in the 100% O 2 versus 21% O 2 group. In BAL fluid, both pro-MMP-9 and pro-MMP-2 increased 2-fold in the 100% O 2 group compared with 21% O 2 . Moreover, IL-8 concentration increased significantly in piglets that were resuscitated with 100% O 2 compared with 21% O 2 , suggesting a marked proinflammatory response in the pulmonary tissue. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that caution must be taken when applying pure O 2 to the newborn infant. Traditionally, asphyxiated newborn infants have been resuscitated with 100% O 2 . This recommendation is based mainly on precedent rather than sound evidence. Hyperoxia leads to generation of O 2 free radicals, which have a role in reperfusion injury after asphyxia (1). Naturally, the lung is exposed directly to the highest partial pressure of inspired O 2 , and pulmonary damage, as a result of O 2 exposure, is a serious clinical complication in infants who require high levels of O 2 as treatment (2). It is important not only to provide adequate O 2 consumption in organs but also to prevent further tissue damage during resuscitation caused by reoxygenation injury or O 2 toxicity. This might be achieved by lowering the O 2 concentration during resuscitation. There is therefore an ongoing debate whether to use 21% or 100% O 2 in neonatal resuscitation (3).Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the pathogenesis of tissue inflammation and wound healing in lung injury (4,5). The role of oxidative stress and its toxic effects on lipids, as well as on disruption of extracellular matrix through up-regulation of MMPs, is well established (6,7). Reduced Received November 19, 2004; accepted February 1, 2005