Objective   To study the molecular mechanism of toxicolog ical effects of short-term exposed to sulfur dioxide(SO₂)on mammalian animals and humans.

  Methods   Affymetrix Genechip(RAE230A)analysis was carried to analyze the gene expression profiles in lungs of Wistar rats exposed to SO₂ for short-term(56 mg/m³, 6h/day, for 7 days).

  Results   It was found that 31 genes, containing 18 known genes and 13 novel genes, were up-regulated, and 30 genes, containing 19 known genes and 11 novel genes, were down-regulated in rats shortterm exposed to SO₂ compared with control rats.

  Conclusion   (1) A notable feature of the gene expression profile was the changed expression of genes related to oxidative phosphorylation in lungs of rats shortterm exposed to SO₂, which showed high-dose shortterm exposed to SO₂ may cause the deterioration of mitochondrial functions.(2)Expressions of genes related to thyroid functions in lungs of rats were also changed by high-dose shortterm exposed to SO₂.(3)Expressions of many genes in rat lung were changed by SO₂, it implied that the gene expressions were changeful and unstable, and there was a genome that its expression might be changed by SO₂.