This study reports an assessment of a method of intestinal protection by the intraluminal administration of an oxygenated perfluorochemical, perfluorotributylamine, or gaseous oxygen in an attempt to provide oxygen for mucosal cells rendered ischemia. A model of acute arterial or acute arteriovenous ischemia was produced in adult female rats. All control ischemic animals died within 12 hours. To assess intestinal protection, the mortality rates in the experimental groups were compared with the 100 percent control mortality. Gaseous oxygen and oxygenated perfluorochemical administered intraluminally reduced mortality significantly in the acute arterial model but not in rats with arteriovenous occlusion. Electron microscopy demonstrated preservation of villi after 1 and 2 hours of occlusion in the oxygen-treated groups. Light microscopy revealed massive destruction in control animals with preserved architecture in both the gaseous oxygen and oxygenated perfluorochemical groups. These results demonstrate that the intraluminal delivery of oxygen to bowel rendered ischemic by arterial occlusion may significantly decrease anatomic bowel disruption and improve animal survival. Such techniques have a potential clinical application to facilitate salvage of ischemic intestine and to augment intestinal preservation.