Through dog models of common bile duct obstruction (BDO), the contents of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) were measured 2,3,4 and 5 weeks after BDO. Results indicated that the hepatic MDA content was increased 2 weeks after BDO as compared with control group (P<0.01), the hepatic SOD content was decreased 3 weeks after BDO (P<0.05). When bile duct obstructing, these changed were more serious. The results suggest that liver has little ability to eliminate the superoxide free radicals after BDO, whereas the lipid peroxidation products increase. It may be one of the mechanisms of liver damage after BDO.