Objective: To observe the expression of the glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), an endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related molecule, in the rat liver tissues injured by ischemia-reperfusion. Methods: Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were equally randomized into sham operation group, hepatic ischemia alone group (30 min hepatic ischemic followed by no reperfusion), 6-h reperfusion group (30 min hepatic ischemic followed by 6-h reperfusion) and 12-h reperfusion group (30 min hepatic ischemic followed by 12-h reperfusion). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of each group of rats were measured, and the pathological changes, apoptosis and GRP78 mRNA expression in rats’ liver tissues were also determined. Results: Compared with control group, all the experimental groups presented obvious hepatic tissue injuries after ischemia, and the injuries were exacerbated with the prolongation of reperfusion period, as evidenced by the increased serum levels of ALT and AST, remarkable pathological changes in the hepatic tissues, and elevated apoptotic rates, with all the differences for the quantitative parameters among groups reaching statistical significance (all P<0.05). The GRP78 mRNA expression in rats’ liver tissues, similar to the patterns of the above parameters, was significantly increased after hepatic ischemia and aggravated as reperfusion time went on, with the differences reaching statistical significance among groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The GRP78 expression is up-regulated in the liver tissue injured by ischemia-reperfusion, however, its exact role in this process remains to be verified.