In the rat model of mild ARDS used herein, at a low protective VT (6 mL/kg), we found that the decrease in the frequency of controlled breaths (BIVENT-100+PSV0%versus BIVENT-50+PSV0%) reduced DAD score, amphiregulin expression in lung tissue and MAFbx expression in diaphragm. This evidence concerns the gene AREG and acute respiratory distress syndrome.