Aim: To investigate the relationship between 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydroge-nase type 1 (1 lbeta-HSD1), a potential link between obesity and type 2 diabetes,and preadipocyte differentiation. Methods: Mouse 11beta-HSD1 siRNA plasmids were transfected into 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (a cell line derived from mouse Swiss3T3 cells that were isolated from mouse embryo), for examination of the effect of targeted 11 beta-HSD1 inhibition on differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Dif-ferentiation was stimulated with 3-isobutyl-1-methyxanthine, insulin, and dexamethasone. The transcription level of the genes was detected by real-time PCR. Results: Lipid accumulation was significantly inhibited in cells transfected with mouse 11beta-HSD1 siRNA compared with non-transfected 3T3-L1 cells.Fewer lipid droplets were detected in the transfected cells both prior to stimulation and after stimulation with differentiation-inducing reagents. The expression of adipocyte differentiation-associated markers such as lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid synthetase were downregulated in the transfected cells. Similarly, the expres-sion of preadipocyte factor-1, an inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation, was downregulated upon stimulation of differentiation and had no changes in the transfected cells. Conclusion: 11 beta-HSD1 can promote preadipocyte differentiation. Based on this, we propose that 11 beta-HSD1 may be an important candidate mediator of obesity and obesity-induced insulin resistance.