Objective To observe the influence of Octreotide on early apoptosis of hepatocytes in orthotopic partial liver transplantation. Methods 108 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: orthotopic liver transplantation group (group A, n =36), orthotopic partial liver transplantation (group B, n =36), and orthotopic partial liver transplantation combined with Octreotide subcutaneously used in anhepatic phase (group C, n =36). The apoptosis of hepatocytes and the expression of Bax protein were detected by TUNEL method and immunohistochemistry (SP method) respectively. Results In 180 min after liver transplantation, apoptotic hepatocytes in group B were 31.8% ± 4.7% and increased significantly as compared with group A ( 24.2% ± 2.4% , P < 0.05 ). At the same times, apoptotic hepatocytes in group C were 24.0% ± 2.5% and decreased significantly as compared with group B ( P < 0.05 ). There was significant difference between group A and group C ( P > 0.05 ). The positive cells of the expression of Bax gene in group B were 36.2% ± 5.3% and greatly higher than those of group A ( 28.7% ± 3.1% , P < 0.05 ), while the positive cells of the expression of Bax gene in group C were 30.0% ± 2.4% and greatly lower than those of group B ( P < 0.05 ). No significant difference between group A and group C was found ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion Octreotide can reduce early apoptosis of hepatocytes in OPLT and protect graft from ischemia/reperfusion injury in orthotopic partial liver transplantation.