In order to study the significance of expression of Bcl-1 and Bax proteins in the liver tissues, 35 cases of chronic viral hepatitis (CH) were immunohistochemically studied. The results showed that Bcl-2 and Bax were mainly colocated in cytoplasm of the mononuclear cells(MN) in the areas of focal necrosis, bridging necrosis and piecemeal necrosis (PN). Some hepatocytes surrounding these areas expressed Bcl-2 and Bax or expressed Bax only. Pathological examination found that these hepatocytes Suffered from hydropic or acidophilic degeneration. In the severe viral hepatitis, survival hepatocytes also expressed Bcl-2 and Bax. It is suggested that the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the liver tissues correlated with the apoptosis of hepatocytes in CH and influenced the progress of severe viral hepatitis.