Objective： To evaluate the effects of cold preservation on hepatocyte proliferation in a novel model of partial liver transplantation in rats. Methods： Donor livers were preserved at 0-4℃ for 30 minutes， 4 hours and 10 hours in University of Wisconsin solution. The expression of the proliferative cell nuclear antigen（PCNA）， necrosis factor alpha（TNF-alpha） and interleukin 6（IL-6） of liver in rats were evaluated by immune histochemical method 1，2，4 d after operation， respectively. Results：30-minute， 4-hour and 10-hour preservation before 50% partial transplantation resulted in 79%， 71% and 29% animal survival， respectively. Prolonged time of cold preservation（10 h） was associated with a dramatic decrease of the marker of regeneration（P < 0.05）. TNF-alpha and IL-6 was significantly decreased in recipient rats compared with the other groups. Conclusion：Periods of cold preservation are significantly associated with the regenerative ability of the liver and animal survival. Cold preservation decreases the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in graft. They play a primary role in modulating hepatocyte proliferation in the cold ischemic liver.