Objective: To study the effect of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) on glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and find the method of establishing a cell insulin resistance model. Method: The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated to 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 1-methyl-3-isobuthylxanthine

dexamethasone and insulin. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to 20

10

5 μg · L-1 TNF-α for 96 h

then added 100 nmol · L-1 insulin for 30 min. The amount of glucose consumption was determined by detecting the glucose content in cell culture supernatants with glucose oxidase(GOD) assay. Result: TNF-α markedly decreased both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.This effect was concentration-dependent

and 20 μg · L-1TNF-α decreased glucose uptake of 79.2% and 81.4% (P<0.05) in the basal and 100 μg · L-1 insulin-stimulated conditions

respectively. Conclusion: 20 μg · L-1TNF-α can induce insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.A novel and reliable cell model of insulin resistance is successfully established.