Globin digest (GD), an oligopeptide mixture derived from edible globin proteins, improved hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in humans and other mammals, and is used as a specified health food in Japan and China. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of GD and its active ingredient Trp-Thr-Gln-Arg (WTQR) on galactosamine (Ga1N)-induced liver injury in SD rats were examined SD rats were divided into the following five groups based on the body weight : vehicle control, Ga1N control, 100 mg/kg WTQR, 2 g/kg GD, and 1 g/kg Uridine. Ga1N was administered i.p. to rats at 300 mg/kg. Distilled water or test articles were administered orally to rats twice at 1 h before GaIN administration and at 8 h after Ga1N administration. The parameters in the serum and liver were examined at 24 h after Ga1N administration. WTQR and GD suppressed the elevated levels of serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic oxidized glutathione content in Ga1N-treated rats. The level of hepatic catalase activity was an increasing tendency by WTQR and GD. The serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α, and histopathol. grade values of the hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in Ga1N-injured liver were decreasing tendencies by WTQR and GD. WTQR and GD may improved the antioxidant defense system and inflammatory status in Ga1N-injured liver. These findings indicate that WTQR and GD have the hepatoprotective effects on Ga1N-induced liver injury in SD rats.