The effect of allopurinol was studied in a normothermic liver ischemia rat model. Functional (bile flow) and biochemical parameters (high-energy phosphates, ATP, ADP, AMP), energy charge, hypoxanthine and xanthine were determined prior to and during 60 min of ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Allopurinol given in the preischemic period (50%) and as a bolus (50%) prior to reperfusion improved liver function significantly, whereas allopurinol given in the preischemic period (50%) and after start of reperfusion (50%) had no effect. The data indicates that allopurinol given prior to reperfusion saved hypoxanthine which was used for ATP resynthesis during reperfusion.