The mechanisms by which alcohol causes liver injury are still not certain. Either LPS or CYP2E1 are considered independent risk factors involved in alcoholic liver disease, but mutual relationships or interactions between them are unknown. In the present study, the possible synergistic action of CYP2E1 and LPS in liver injury was investigated by evaluating the effects of pyrazole (inducer of CYP2E1), Chlormethiazole (CMZ), an inhibitor of CYP2E1, and CYP2E1-knockout mice. Mice were injected with pyrazole (150 mg/kg, ip) daily for 2 days, followed by LPS injection (4 mg/kg, ip). CMZ (50mg/kg, ip) was administered 15 h before and 30 min after LPS treatment, respectively. LPS-induced liver injury was enhanced by pyrazole, as indicated by pathological changes and increases in ALT and AST, and positive TUNEL staining. LPS-induced oxidative stress was also enhanced by pyrazole as indicated by increases in 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine adduct formation. CMZ protected against the pyrazole enhanced LPS liver injury and oxidative stress. CYP2E1 but also CYP2A5 were increased by the pyrazole/LPS treatment. CMZ decreased the elevated CYP2E1 activity by 90%, but CYP2A5 activity was also lowered (30%-50%). CYP2E1-knockout mice exhibited only minor liver injury after treatment with pyrazole/LPS, but wild-type mice exhibited severe liver injury. While no CYP2E1 was present in the CYP2E1 knockout mice, CYP2A5 activity was also lower. In conclusion, induction of CYP2E1 plays an important role in the enhancement of LPS liver injury by pyrazole, but some contribution by CYP2A5 cannot be excluded.