Abstract： Objective To investigate that the phosphorylation of the p38 rnitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) influences gene expression of tumor necrosis faetor-α (TNF-α) in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in pigs. Methods Thirty pigs were divided into MODS group and control group, and an animal model of MODS of "two-hit" injury, including hemorrhagic shock and endotoxemia, was reproduced. The content of p38MAPK's phosphorylation was assessed with Western blotting. TNF-α mRNA in peripheral blood monocytes was assayed with real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TNF-α was monitored in the peripheral blood plasma with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Phosphorylation of p38MAPK was obviously increased in extent, which enhanced gene expression of TNF-α and then secretion of TNF-α by the peripheral blood mononuelear cell in MODS, and the differenees were statistically significant compared with that of control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion p38MAPK's phosphorylation is important in pathogenesis of MODS, and phosphorylation of p38MAPK ean enhance TNF-α mRNA transcription and secretion of TNF-α from peripheral blood mononuelear cells, which is the mechanism of increased TNF-α in MODS.