Objective To study liver function, hepatic energy metabolism, regeneration and apoptosis in obstructive jaundiced or normal liver after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) with hepatic artery resection (HAR) in rats. Methods In this study, 133 male SD rats were enrolled, 6 rats were in sham operation group, 20 rats underwent choledochoduodenostomy after 70% PH and 20 rats did 70%- PH, choledochoduodenostomy plus HAR. The remaining 87 rats 5 days after common bile duct ligation (CBDL) were randomized into two groups: 70% PH with choledochoduodenostomy, and 70% PH with choledochoduodenustomy plus HAR. Serum TB, ALT, ALB and ALP; tissue of hepatic HGF, bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression; ATP, ADP and AMP in hepatic tissues; hepatocyte proliferation/ apoptosis index were observed postoperatively (24 h, 72 h and 7 d). MortaLity was calculated. Results Rats without obstructive jaundice could tolerate 70% PH plus HAR with good liver regeneration. Compared with other groups, the serum liver function index; ATP content and EC value; HGF,bcl-2 mRNA content of liver tissue and the hepatocyte proliferation/apoptosis index in 70% PH with HAR group significantly aggravated and the mortality signiticanfly increased in obstructive jaundice rats ( P < 0. 05). Conclusions (1) The liver regeneration and apoptosis were not significantly influenced in normal mrs undergoing 70% PH and 70% PH with HAR, moreover hepatoeyte energy metabolism and liver function recovered rapidly in both groups. (2) With the existence of severe bilirubinemia, 70% PH with HAR caused an increased mortality suggesting a rationale for a preoperative bilirubin reducing procedures before a major surgery in malignant obstructive jaundice.