ObjectiveThrough the analysis of quantitative and functional changes in peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) of early HCC patients before and after operation, to discuss the operation effect on the immune function from the aspect of immune suppression. MethodsExtracted the lymphocytes of peripheral blood in HCC patients before and after operation (case group, n=15) and normal people (control group, n=5 cases), and analyze the number and function of Treg by flow cytometer after extracellular (CD4, CD25) and intracellular (FOXP3) staining. ResultsCD4+CD25+ T cells and CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in preoperative peripheral blood in case group were significantly higher than those in control group (12.43±2.57)% vs. (5.56±1.02)%, (5.14±1.4)% vs. (2.18±0.83)%, Plt;0.05). These two cells decreased at 1 week after operation. 〔(10.56±2.13)%, (4.28±1.08)%〕, but there was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05), they decreased significantly at 2 weeks after operation 〔(7.30±0.89)%, (3.43±0.83)%， Plt;0.05〕. CD8+ T cells and CD4+CD25- T cells in preoperative peripheral blood in case group were significantly lower than those in control group 〔（23.42±1.80）% vs. （29.22±2.26）%， （36.14±1.12）% vs. （43.69±2.78）%， Plt;0.05〕， These two cells decreased significantly at 2 weeks after operation 〔（27.15±1.71）%， （40.30±2.00）%〕. The analysis on the Treg and AFP correlation found that they have low correlation (r=048, Plt;0.05 ). ConclusionsThe hepatectomy can improve the immune response of HCC patient. Treg may have a certain auxiliary significance in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.