OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tacrolimus (FK506) on peripheral blood cell immune function and liver lab index in liver transplant recipients different survival periods. METHODS: 27 liver transplant recipients receiving FK506 were selected and divided into group A (1 year≤ survival period<5 years, 16 cases) and group B (5 years≤survival period≤12 years, 11 cases). At the same time, 10 healthy volunteers were included into control group. Group A and B were given FK506 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, bid; control group didn’t received any treatment. Peripheral blood T leukomonocyte CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+and CD4+/CD8+, B cell CD19+ and NK cell CD16+CD56+ level were compared among 3 groups. The levels of ALT, AST, ALB and GGT were investigated in 3 groups. RESULTS: The percentage of CD3+CD4+, CD19+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in group B were significantly lower than in group A and control group, and CD3+CD8+ was significantly higher than in group A and control group, with statistical significance (P<0.005); there was no statistical significance in CD3+, CD16+CD56+ in group B, compared to group A and control group (P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in above index between group A and control group (P>0.05). The level of GGT in the group A and group B was higher than that in the control group. AST of group A was significantly higher than that of control group, and ALB of group B was significantly lower than control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05); there was no statistical significance in ALT, of group A and B, compared to control group (P>0.05); there was no statistical significance in the levels of ALT, AST, ALB and GGT between group A and group B (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immune function of liver transplant recipients with 5-12 years survival time was easily suppressed by FK506. CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ level may serve as biomarkers to reflect the immune status of recipients and help to adjust the dose of FK506 timely and avoid the excessive immunosuppression.