AIM To compare the effects of intravenous routeand peritoneal route on liver targeted uptake and expression of plasmid delivered by galactoseterminal glyco-poly-L-Iysine (G-PLL). METHOTS The plasmid pTM/MMP-1 which could be expressed in eukaryotic cells was bound to GPLL, and wes then transferred into Wistar rats by intravenous and intraperitoneal injection. The expression and distribution of the plasmid were observed at different time periods by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The plasmid could be expressed significantly within 24 h after being transferred in vivo by both intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. One week later the expression began to decrease, and could still be observed three weeks later. Although both the intravenous and intraperitoneal route could target-specifically deliver the plasmid to the liver, the effect of the former was better as compared to that of the latter. CONCLUSION Intravenous route is better for liver targeted uptake and expression of G-PLL-bound plasmids than the peritoneal route.