Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the central non-immunologic processes involved in renal allograft dysfunction. Kidneys from non heart beating donors (NHBD) exhibit higher rates of delayed graft function (DGF) than those from other donors. Primary non function and DGF are the main barriers to the use of kidneys from NHBD. Using a pig model of NHBD transplantation, we have studied the effect of FR167653 (a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor) on the recovery and reparation of kidneys exposed to both warm (WI: 1h) and cold ischemia (CI: 24h). Our results demonstrate that the addition of FR167653 increases the kinetics of proximal tubule cell regeneration after 60 min of WI. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1) and VEGF expression was also more important in FR167653-treated kidneys when compared to those in non-treated groups. Also, expression of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), involved in tissue repair, was increased in the FR167653-treated groups. At 3 months, the protective effects of FR167653 were accompanied by a reduction of long term inflammation process and tubulointerstitial fibrosis development associated to a limitation of ischemia-induced remodeling. This study suggests that such treatment may be useful in protocols aimed at improving the quality of renal transplants from NHBD. In addition, the beneficial role of FR167653 in limiting early injury is associated with secondary reduction in development of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis which are together the hallmark of failing renal transplants. The more efficient effect was observed when FR167653 was added in combination before WI, during cold storage and reperfusion.