AIM To compare the effects of liposomes and glyco-poly-L-lysine on liver targeted uptake and expression of plasmid in rat liver. METHODS After binding with lipofectamine or galactose-terminal glyco-poly- L-lysine, the plasmid could be expressed in eukaryotic cells when injected into Wistar rats by intravenous route. At different time intervals after the injection, the distribution and expression of the plasmid in liver of rats were observed and compared using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The expression of the plasmid binding to liposomes or G-PLL could be markedly observed 24 h later, and began to decrease one week later, but it still could be observed up to three weeks. Both liposomes and G-PLL could deliver the plasmid to the liver effectively, but the effect of the latter was better than the former concerning the distribution and expression of the plasmid targeted uptake in the liver. CONCLUSION G-PLL is better than liposome as the targeted carrier for delivering exogenous genes to the liver.