Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on hepatocytes early growth response factor 1 ( EGR-1 ) in a rat liver autotransplantation. Methods The rat portal vein perfusion model was established for donor liver autotransplantation. Rats were then divided into group A:hypoxic preconditioning was done before transplantation; group B: rats undergoing liver transplantation without preconditioning; group C: Normal control group of rats. Liver histopathological changes, the mRNA expression of HIF-1, TNF-1 and the WB results of EGR-1 were compared between groups. Results The expression of HIF-1 α RNA determined in group A was more obvious than in group B and group C. Six hours after surgery, the expression in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (t =9. 601, df= 10, 2-tailed Sig = 0. 000, P<0. 05 ) ; Egr-1 protein expression in group A and group B increased after surgery,with that in group A being significantly lower than that in group B. The RT-PCR expression of TNF-α RNA in group B compared with group A and group C was more obvious. Six hours after operation, the expression of TNF in group B was significantly higher than that in group A ( t = -12. 067, df = 10, 2-tailed Sig =0. 000, P<0. 05 ). The expression of Egr-1 was positively correlated with that of TNF. A liver cell pathology showed less severe injury in structure of hepatic lobule, mild swelling of liver cells, no significant changes in liver tissue. Conclusions Hypoxic preconditioning adaptation in rat liver transplantation generates modest increase in EGR-1, and reduces the production of TNF and other inflammatory factors.