Objective To study the effects of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the course of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI), and analyze its mechanism. Methods The relationship between HSPs and HIRI was studied by reviewing literatures. Results HSPs was a kind of stress protein induced after cell was sitmulated by the stress. It could improve body′s tolerance to tough situation. Though hepatic ischemia reperfusion usually results in serious hepatic injury, at the same time it could induce can increase the production of HSPs that can protect liver from and lessen ischemia reperfusion injury. Conclusion HSPs can improve the tolerance to HIRI and lessen injury. In addition, HSPs is thought to be markers of HIRI, and can be used as a efficient indicator to test the level of hepatic injury and assess prognosis.