Objective　The aims of this study were to determine ① the variation of blood TGFβ1 and ET-1 in patients with liver cirrhosis; ② the relationship of the blood TGFβ1 and ET-1 with Child degree of liver function and the severity of esophageal varices. Methods　Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 72 patients and 24 normal controls.The blood levels of TGFβ1 and ET-1 were measured by using a standard bioassay and the radioimmunoassay.Results　TGFβ1 level （11.77±1.32 ng/ml）and ET-1 level（78.37±17.54 pg/ml） were significantly higher in the patients than those in controls(P<0.05). The increase of the ET-1 in the patients is closely associated with Child degree of liver function (r=0.94) and the severity of esophageal varices(r=0.87). TGFβ1 concentration is not associated with Child degree of liver function (r=0.11) and the severity of esophageal varices (r=0.03) . Conclusion　TGFβ1 and ET-1 may play an important role in the pathophysiologic process of cirrhosis. ET-1 concentration may reflect portal hypertension development.