【Abstract】Objective To investigate the effects of ethanol on polarization of cultured hepatocytes.Methods Sandwich hepatocytes were used to study the effects of ethanol on polarization of shortperiod cultured hepatocytes. Expression of albumin mRNA and P450-b mRNA,specific distribution of plasma membrance protein and the morphology were observed before and after ethanol was given. Results After treated ethanol, hepatocytes became flat and polynuclear. Its cellular plasma became watery and anatomical networks like board structure disappeared. Immunohistochemical method proved that the distribution of specific plasma membrane protein was damaged, and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that the levels of albumin mRNA, P450-b mRNA expression decreased after ethanol was given.Conclusion Ethanol induces significant disturbance of cell polarization in cultured hepatocytes to result in injury. The current study is important for exploring the mechanism of alcohol liver disease from the cellular plane to provide a model.