Background　With the development of liver surgery, especially in the liver transplants, more attention was focus on the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2（nuclear factor elytroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2） and antioxidant response element（ARE） anti-oxidative stress system effect on the liver injury.　Objective　Literatures about the Nrf2-ARE antioxidant system protection in the liver were analyzed and summarized.　Content　Nrf2, ARE structure and the signal path and comparisons of three kinds of model mice-Nrf2 gene deletion, Nrf2 drugs activation, Nrf2 gene activation-with wild-type mice on liver tolerance to oxidative stress were briefly reviewed.　Trend　Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in the liver has a protective effec for clinical application.