Objective      To explore the effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on TNF-α-induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.       Methods      The 3T3-L1 adipocytes obtained from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced by the cocktail medium containing 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine(IBMX)

dexamethasone and insulin were divided into 4 groups

including a control group

a TNF-α (50 ng/ml) group

a TUDCA (1 mmol/L) group and a TNF-α (50 ng/ml)+TUDCA (1 mmol/L) group. The intracellular lipid droplets were stained by oil red O. The content of glycerol released in medium was determined by colorimetric assay. The expression of perilipin A was detected by Western blotting.       Results      TNF-α significantly induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The content of glycerol released in medium significantly increased (2.784±0.104 mmol/L

P0.01)

and the lipid droplets dispersed. TUDCA could significantly block the lipolysis induced by TNF-α by inhibiting the dispersion of lipid droplets and reversing the glycerol release (1.718±0.085 mmol/L

P0.01). The Western blotting showed that TNF-α could downregulate the expression of perilipin A (0.227±0.004

P0.01)

which could be blocked by TUDCA (0.705±0.066

P0.01).       Conclusion      TUDCA attenuates TNF-α-induced lipolysis by blocking the downregulation of perilipin A

and reduces the concentration of free fatty acids to improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.