A protective effect of metipranolol on renal ischemia has recently been demonstrated in our laboratory. The aim of present work was to investigate the effect of this drug on a model of total hepatic ischemia. Inosine was chosen as a comparative agent. Metipranolol (1 mg.kg-1) or inosine (160 mg.kg-1) were given i.v. to rats 15 min prior to inducing of 30-min lasting hepatic ischemia. The animals were followed up for 90 min after the end of ischemia. Pretreatment with inosine almost removed the harmful effect of ischemia on bile flow. Pretreatment with metipranolol slightly minimized the post-ischemic bile flow fall, this effect having been statistically significant only at 30. min of postischemic period. Neither inosine, nor metipranolol administration influenced significantly the ALT or AST plasma activity 90 min after release of hepatic vessels occlusion.