To explore the cellular and lysosomal fragility of pancreatic acinar cells in both the early and recovering stages after partial hepatectomy, we evaluated the changes in the pancreatic water content, redistribution of lysosomal enzyme, lysosomal fragility in acinar cells, and lactate dehydrogenese (LDH) discharge from acinar cells 4 days and 8 days after about 70% hepatectomy in rats. In the early stage (4 days) after hepatecotmy, the pancreatic water content was significantly greater than that in sham-operated or normal rats. Both the LDH discharge and lysosomal fragility were also significantly higher than those in the sham-operated and normal rats. Redistribution of lysosomal enzyme was also found in this early stage. In the recovering stage (8 days) after hepatectomy, these parameters tended to return to the preoperative levels (normal rats). These results indicate that the cellular fragility of acinar cells is increased in the early stage after hepatectomy. Lysosomal fragility seems to be related to this cellular fragility of acinar cells in the early stage after hepatectomy.