Objective：To establish the animal model of hepatocyte transplantation via hepatic artery in SD rats；to evaluate the treat－ment effects of hepatocyte transplantation by hepatic artery and intrasplenic injection in rats with acute hepatic failure. Methods：A－cute hepatic failure（AHF） was induced by D-gal in SD rats. After 24 hours，a cather was inserted into the hepatic artery in 65 rats with AHF. Then the 60 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. GroupⅠreceived 2×107 hepatocytes through intraplenic injection and 0.4 ml Hank’s solution was infused through hepatic artery；GroupⅡ received 0.4 ml Hank’s solution through intraplenic injection and 2×107 hepatocytes was infused through hepatic artery；Group Ⅲ received 0.4 ml Hank’s solution through intraplenic injection and 0.4 ml Hank’s solution through hepatic artery.Surviving rate was observed at 14 days and liver function was measured at different time points. The distribution of transplanted CFDA-SE-labeled hepatocytes through hepatic artery was observed.Secretion of albumin and liver histopathological change were observed in spleen by immunofluorescence and HE staining. Results：At 14 days，the survival of Group Ⅰrats was significantly higher than that of Group Ⅱ rats（P=0.031，<0.05）；the survival of Group Ⅱwas significantly higher than that of Group Ⅲ（P=0.048，<0.05）.Hepatic function of GroupsⅠand Ⅱhad improved，especially of GroupⅠ. In Group Ⅱ，24 h after transplantation of CFDA-SE-labeled hepatocytes，scattered green fluorescence region was found under fluorescent microscopy. In GroupⅠ，at 30 days post-transplatation，immunofluorescent staining of albumin demonstrated some positive cells in spleen；at 7 days post-transplatation，transplanted hepatocytes was found in spleen. Conclusion：Hepatocyte transplantation through catheteriza－tion hepatic artery via carotid route can improve the survival of rats with AHF and ameliorate hepatic function，but intrasplenic injec－tion is significantly superior to it.