The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Lycium barbarum (LB) on bacterial translocation (BT) frequency in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in rats. Group 1 was the control. In group 2 (TAA), rats received TAA daily for 3 days. In group 3 (TAA+LB), Lycium barbarum was administered orally 25 mg/kg for 21 days prior to the first TAA injection. In group 4 (LB), rats received only Lycium barbarum. In our study, Lycium barbarum treatment did not attenuate liver damage. Lycium barbarum treatment decreased ileal E. coli counts and intestinal damage but it did not alter BT frequency. In conclusion, the effects of Lycium barbarum on BT may be related to ongoing severe liver damage in this model.