Abstract: Objective To investigate the different expression and significance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ) in hepatocellular carcinoma with tissue microarray technology. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liver tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue,and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters was observed. Results The expression rates of PPARγ in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liver tissues and 6 normal liver tissues were 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age, tumor size, serum AFP levels, tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava, nor HBsAg infection,but with differentiation grades. Conclusion The strong expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics. Detection of PPARγis valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.