Objective：To determine the plasma level of soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （sTRAIL） in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis （PBC） and to explore its clinical significance. Methods： The plasma levels of sTRAIL were examined in 30 patients with PBC, 25 patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and 30 healthy donors with ELISA. Meanwhile, the concentrations of plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase （GGT） and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） were examined and their correlation with sTRAIL was analyzed. Results： The plasma level of sTRAIL in PBC patients was （1 543.9±344.2） pg/ml ,which was significantly higher than that of healthy donors （[1 098.5 ± 264.7] pg/ml, P〈0.01） ; sTRAIL level in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis was （1 624.1±415.8） pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that of control （[1 098.5±264.7] pg/ml, P〈0.05）. We also found that sTRAIL level was positively correlated with GGT and ALP concentrations in PBC patients （r=0. 63,0. 71, P〈0.01）, but not with those in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis （r=0. 43,0.31 ,P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Plasma sTRAIL level is elevated in PBC patients and is correlated with GGT and ALP concentrations, indicating that sTRAIL may contribute to the impair of the intrahepatic bile ducts and is associated with the mobility of PBC.