The protective effects of diallyl trisulfide on liver were examined in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was reproduced in rats by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (group S, n=8), sepsis model group (group C, n=24), diallyl trisulfide (DATS)-treated group (group D, n=24). Animals in groups C and D were further divided into three subgroups according to different observation time points, with 8 rats in each subgroup center dot Rats in group D and C were intravenously injected with normal saline or DATS respectively at a dose of 20 mg/kg after the establishment of sepsis model. Eight rats in groups C and D were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 24 h post-CLP and their livers were harvested for detection of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), c-fos, c-jun, malondialdehydethhe (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and for pathological examination. The results showed that the levels of serum IRAK-4, NF-kappa B and TNF-alpha in hepatic tissues were higher in group C than group S (control group) (P < 0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of IRAK-4 and NF-kappa B in the hepatic tissues and serum TNF-alpha in group D were lower than those in group C (P < 0.05). The levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were higher in group C than in group S (P < 0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were significantly lower in group D than in group C (P < 0.05). When compared with group S group, concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues in group C was significantly lower (P < 0.05). After DATS treatment, the concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues was higher in group D than in group C (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that treatment with DATS could ameliorate sepsis-induced liver injury in rats. The protective effect might be related to its ability to inhibit the signal pathway of IRAK-4 and NF-kappa B, thereby decreasing the production of oxygen free radicals and down-regulating the expression of c-fos and c-jun.