Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of different fatty acids on the gene expression of adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ(PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes,and to assess the possible relationship between adiponectin and PPARγ.Methods After induced into adipocytes and identified by Oil Red O staining,the 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with palmitic acid(PA),oleic acid(OA),linoleic acid(LA) at different concentrations for 24 hours,and the gene expression of adiponectin mRNA and PPARγ mRNA were determined by real-time PCR.Results The mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPARγ in PA group were decreased in a dose-dependent manner,with a significant increase at 25 μmol/L(P< 0.05).For OA and LA group,the expression of adiponectin and PPARγ increased at the dosages of 25,50,and 100 μmol/L,with the highest increase at 50 μmol/L(P< 0.05).With the increase of fatty acid,the expression of adiponectin and PPARγ mRNA decreased in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Fatty acid could induce the gene expression of adiponectin and PPARγ mRNA in dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.PA could increase the gene expression of adiponectin and PPARγ even at low level of 25 μmol/L.The molecular mechanism of adiponectin gene expression might be correlated with a PPARγ activation signaling pathw ay,for there is a positive correlation between adiponectin and PPARγ.