Objective: To investigate effect of licoflavone on anti-oxidant of liver tissues and expression of hepatocyte apoptosis regulation gene p53 in rats after exhaustive exercise. Method: Fifty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups

10 rats each group the quiet control group (NC)

the exercise group (ME)

the administration of licoflavone in low dose exercising group (MFGL)

the administration of licoflavone in middle dose exercising group (MFGM) and the administration of licoflavone in high dose exercising group (MFGH). The rats were administrated by professional gavage once a day half an hour before exercising. This administration was continupusly gaved six days in one week

and lasted for six weeks. The low

middle and high doses are respectively 4

8

12 g·kg-1·d-1

while the rats in control group were administrated of pure physiological saline at the same dose. The rats were killed after 6-week training. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)

catalase(CAT)

glutathione peroxi(GSH-Px) and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) in liver Tissues of rats were tested by corresponding kit method. And the expression of hepatocyte apoptosis regulation gene p53 was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Result: Exhaustive swimming training induced the content of MDA was higher than that in quiet control group (P<0.05)

and the content of MDA in each MFG groups was higher than quiet control group

and lower than exercising control group.The activity of SOD in exercising control group was lower than quiet control group (P<0.01)

and it in each MFG groups was obviously higher than exercising control group (P<0.05). The activity of GSH-Px in exercising control group was lower than quiet control group (P<0.01)

and it in each MFG groups were obviously higher than exercising control group

but lower than quiet control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The activity of CAT in exercising control group was lower than quiet control group (P<0.01)

and it each MFG groups were lower than quiet control group

and higher than exercising control group (P<0.05). The expression of hepatocyte apoptosis regulation gene p53 was increased in rats after exhaustive swimming training; while the expression of p53 was decreased when the rats were administrated licoflavone before exhaustive swimming training. Conclusion: The supplement of licoflavone could have anti-free radical oxidation action

reduce lipid peroxidation and inhibit apotosis of liver cells

to protect the liver of rats from exhaustive exercise.