Objective To discuss the differentiation between transient intrahepatic cholestasis (TIHC) and acute rejection (AR) after liver transplantation． Methods Characteristics and the changes (before and within 21 d after transplantation) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in 30 patients undergone liver transplantation were observed. These patients were divided into TIHC group and AR group following the diagnosis criteria, and the serum levels of ALT and DBIL were compared respectively on day 1 before liver transplantation, day 3, 7 and 21 after liver transplantation． Results Compared with day 3 after transplantation in the TIHC group， DBIL significantly ascended while ALT was changeless on day 7 after transplantation. But in the AR group， DBIL ascended significantly and ALT showed an increasing tendency on day 7 after transplantation． After appropriate therapy, DBIL and ALT of two groups both descended significantly on day 21 after transplantation． Conclusion The changes of DBIL and ALT are available for the differentiation between TIHC and AR after transplantation.