Serum lipids and higher fatty acids were investigated in 141 patients with portal liver cirrhosis, 51 patients with chronic hepatitis and 40 clinically healthy subjects--controls. Lower contents of cholesterin in blood was found in the patients with liver cirrhosis as compared with the healthy as well as of total lipids, phospholipids, beta-LP, palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic linoleic and linolenic acids and considerably higher contents, of NEFA endogene heparin, LPL and blood sugar. The deviations described are more manifested in decompensated liver cirrhosis. In the patients with chronic hepatitis, as compared with the controls higher contents of cholesterin, total lipids, phospholipids, triglyceride, beta-LP, NEFA, LPL, endogene heparin, stearinic, palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acids and blood sugar were found. In the patients with liver cirrhosis, as compared with the patients with chronic hepatitis, a lower contents of cholesterin was found as well as of total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides, beta-LP, palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acids and a higher contents of and blood sugar. The described deviations in the contents of serum lipid indices are with a definite regular character and can be used in the diagnosis of liver diseases.