Objective:To investigate the effect of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1(11β / HSD1)on glycolipid abnormalities and its role in the development and progression of obesity and insulin resistance. Methods:The adipocyte-specific-11β/HSD1 knockout mice were constructed firstly. Five mice of 5 weeks-old adipocyte-specific-11β/HSD1 knockout mice and C57BL/6 mice were selected separately to establish the model of obesity(DIO)induced by high-fat diet. After feeding 5 and 6 weeks,mice were processed intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)and insulin tolerance test(ITT),respectively. Mice were sacrificed after feeding 12 weeks,and the weight of body and visceral fat were measured,hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was subsequently used to assess the degree of fat vacuoles change. The levels of blood glucose,triglyceride,cholesterol,urea and creatinine were also detected. Expression of 11β/HSD1 and some markers associated with glycolipid metabolism were analyzed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Results:The adipocyte-specific-11β/HSD1 knockout mice were constructed successfully. There was no significant difference in body weight,visceral fat weight between the two groups,but the adipocyte-specific-11β/HSD1 knockout mice decreased concentrations of serum glucose and size of adipocyte,and increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity,compared with the control group. The protein levels of 11β/HSD1 and transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-γ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding proteins alpha(C/EPB-α) were obviously lower in the adipose tissues of adipocyte-specific-11β/HSD1 knockout mice than that of the control group. Conclusion:The down-regulation of 11β/HSD1 expression in adipose tissues can reduce the lipid droplets deposition and improve the insulin sensitivity in DIO.