Objective To detect the level of forkhead box O3a(foxo3a)in the peripheral blood mononuclear(PBMC)of patients with sepsis before and after treatment and further discuss the function of foxo3 ain the process of sepsis.Methods The PBMC was separated from acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis(AOSC)patients(n=27)on admission(ES),after cured for 1week(CG)and healthy volunteers(n=12)(HV).The serum levels of lipopolysaccharide(LPS),tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)and interleukin 10(IL-10)were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)methods.The mRNA levels of foxo3 a,nuclear fatorκB P65(NF-κB)and inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The protein levels of foxo3 a,p-foxo3 a,IκB,p-IκB and NF-κB were tested by western blotting(WB).Results The levels of LPS,TNF-αand IL-10 in ES were significantly higher than that in HV and CG.The mRNA levels of foxo3 aand IκB in ES were lower than that in HV and CG,while NF-κB P65 in ES was higher than that in HV and CG.The protein levels of foxo3 aand IκB in ES were lower than HV and CG,while p-foxo3 a,p-IκB and NF-κB P65 were higher than HV and CG.Conclusion The foxo3 afor phosphorylation activation of IκB or directly activation of NF-κB participate the originating process of sepsis and hinting the therapeutic potentialities in the early stage of sepsis.