AIM: To investigate the dynamical effects and mechanisms of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on the activity of the hepatic insulinase of experimental liver cirrhosis in rats. METHODS: The liver cirrhosis models were induced by CCl 4 rats were randomly allocated i nto a normal group, a model group and a CS group.Rats in normal group were sacr ificed at the beginning of experiment. While other two groups were sacrificed r andomly at the end of wk 3, wk 6 and wk 9. Blood and tissue specimen were taken. Biochemical assay was used to determine the level change of ALT, ALB content in serum. And radioimmunological assay was used to determine the level change of HA, INS con tent in serum and the activity of the hepatic insulinase. RESULTS: (1) There wer e no significant differences of the serum level of ALT, ALB, HA between the CS g roup and the model group at wk 3 and wk 6 (P >0.05 ). The serum level of ALT, HA in the CS group was lower than that in the model group at wk 9 (P <0.05 ),but the serum level of ALB in the CS group was higher than that in the model group at wk 9 (P <0.05 ).(2) There were no significant differe nces of the serum level of the insulin and the activity of the hepatic insulinas e between the CS group and normal group at wk 3 (P >0.
05 ). The serum level of insulin in the CS group and model group at wk 6 and the wk 9 were higher than that in the normal group (P <0.05 ).But the according activity of the hepatic insulinase was lower than that in the normal group (P <0.05 ,or P <0.01 ).(3)There were no significant differences of the s erum level of the insulin and the activity of the hepatic insulinase between the CS group and the model group at wk 3, wk 6 and the wk 9 (P >0.05 ). CONCLUSION: Cordyceps sinensis may decrease the destroy of the hepatocyte by CCl 4, and inhibi t the hepatic fibrogenesis. After 6 wk CCl 4 administration,the activi ty of the hepatic insulinase begin to decrease and the level of serum insulin be gin to decrease and the level of insulin begin to increase. Cordyceps sinensi s can't inhibit the decreasing of the activity of the hepatic insulinase, so t hat it can not improve the hyperinsulinism either.