Objective To investigate the pathological characteristics of hepatic energy metabolism changes due to biliary sepsis. Methods The hepatic mitochondrial respiratory function and content of ATP was dynamically measured in the self controlled rabbit model of biliary sepsis.Results The mitochondrial S3, respiration control rate (RCR) and phosphorus/oxygen (P/O) were significantly dropping in the infective hepatic lobe 12 hrs after operation with S4 increasing markedly, and the oxidative phosphorylation was uncoupled from 48 hrs after operation onward. The hepatic mitochondrial RCR showed early ascending and then dropping in the non-infective hepatic lobe. The content of ATP and mitochondrial respiratory activity decreased synchronously in both hepatic lobes. Conclusion The hepatic energy metabolic failure was induced in the early stage by biliary sepsis. This is probably the pathological basis of biliary sepsis that is highly critical and always lead to MOF following acute liver function failure.