An experimental study of the local hepatic tissue blood flow was performed with the 133Xe clearance technique on 298 anesthetized mongrel male rats and dogs. We simulated acute arterial ischemia of the liver, toxic hepatic poisoning (carbon tetrachloride poisoning), mechanical jaundice, controlled blood loss and adrenalectomy. Microcirculation disturbances were investigated in various experimental pathological states. Also studied were the effect of various drugs (α- and β-adrenergic substances, phosphodiesterase inhibitor, cyclic nucleotides, methyluracil and potassium orotate) on the hepatic tissue blood flow in intact animals and in acute arterial ischemia of the liver. The 133Xe clearance technique can be applied for the hepatic tissue blood flow measurements in various pathological states and for assessment of drug effect on tissue blood flow in an organ.