Objective: To explore the effects of modified Linggui Zhugan Tang on expression of adiponectin in perirenal fat of rats with metabolic syndrome. Method: Male weaning Wistar rats aged 3 weeks

were divided into six groups in randomized manner:normal group treated with distilled water diet;high fat and high salt model group

atorvastatin lipid-lowering group (8 mg·kg-1)

modified Linggui Zhugan Tang high dose

middle dose and small dose groups (18

12

6 g·kg-1)

n=10 in each group. All other groups except normal group received high fat and high salt diet and received drugs by intragastric administration from the same time of modeling

once a day for 12 weeks. The rats in normal group and model group received the same volume of normal saline. Obesity index and Lee's index were calculated according to body weight and perirenal fat mass. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum were detected by biochemical method;the morphology changes of the perirenal fat tissues were observed by using HE method. The mRNA expression levels of peroxidase proliferation agent activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and adiponectin were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR). Result: As compared with the normal group

the body weight

perirenal fat mass

obesity index and Lee's index in model group were significantly increased;the volume of fat cells was increased significantly while the number was significantly reduced;MDA level in serum was significantly increased;SOD activity was significantly reduced;the mRNA expression levels of PPARγ and adiponectin in fat tissues were significantly reduced (P < 0.05

P < 0.01). As compared with the metabolic syndrome model group

the body weight

perirenal fat mass

obesity index and Lee's index in modified Linggui Zhugan Tang all dose groups were significantly decreased;the volume of fat cells was reduced significantly while the number was significantly increased;MDA level in serum was significantly reduced;SOD activity was significantly increased;the mRNA expression levels of PPARγ and adiponectin in fat tissues were significantly increased (P < 0.05

P < 0.01). Conclusion: The modified Linggui Zhugan Tang can significantly regulate lipid oxidation and improve the visceral obesity in metabolic syndrome model rats. The mechanism may be related to increasing PPARγ expression and further increasing the expression of adiponectin.