AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the expression of lipopolyaaccharides (LPS) binding protein (LBP) and CD14mRNA and the severity of liver injury in alcohol-fed rats.METHODS: Twenty Wietar rats were divided into two groups: ethanol-fed group (group E) and control group (group C). Group E was fed with ethanol( 5-12g. Kg- 1. D-1)and group C received dextrose instead of ethanol. Rats of the two groups were sacrificed at 4 weeks and 8 weeks.Levels of endotoxin and alanine transeminase (ALT) inblood were measured, and liver pathology was observed under light and electronic microscopy. Expressions of LBP and CD14 mRNA in liver tissues were determined by RT-PCR analysis.RESULTS: Plasma endotoxin levels were increased more significantly in group E( 129 ± 21) ng. L- 1 and ( 187 ± 35) ng.L- 1 at 4 and 8 wk than in control rats(48 ± 9) ng. L- 1 and (53±11) ng.L-1, respectively (P< 0.05). Mean values of plasma ALT levels were (1867 ± 250) nkat. L-1 and (2450 ±367) nkat. L- 1 in Group E. The values were increased more dramatically in ethanol-fed rats than in Group C after 4 and 8weeks. In liver section from ethanol-fed rats, there were marked pathological changes (steatosis, cell infiltration and necrosis). In ethanol-fed rats, ethanol administration led to a significant increase in LBP and CD14 mRNA levels compared with the control group ( P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: Ethanol administration led to a significant increase in endotoxin levels in serum and LBP and CD14mRNA expressions in liver tissues. The increase of LBP and CD14 mRNA expression might wake the liver more sensitive to endotoxin and liver injury.