AIM:To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine on improving insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids (FFAs) in 3T3-LI adipocytes.METHODS:The model of insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was established by adding palmic acid (0.5 mmol/L) to the culture medium.Berberine treatment was performed at the same time.Glucose uptake rate was determined by the 2-deoxy-[3H]-Dglucose method.The levels of IkB kinase beta (IKKβ)Ser181 phosphorylation,insulin receptor substrate1(IRS-1) Ser307 phosphorylation,expression of IKKβ,IRS-1,nuclear transcription factor kappaB p65 (NF-κB p65),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p85(PI-3K p85) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins were detected by Western blotting.The distribution of NF-κB p65 proteins inside the adipocytes was observed through confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM).RESULTS:After the intervention of palmic acid for 24 h,the insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was inhibited by 67%.Meanwhile,the expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K p85 protein was reduced,while the levels of IKKβ Ser181 and IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation,and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 protein were increased.However,the above indexes,which indicated the existence of insulin resistance,were reversed by berberine although the expression of GLUT4,IKKβ and total NF-κB p65 protein were not changed during this study.CONCLUSION:Insulin resistance induced by FFAs in 3T3-L1 adipocytes can be improved by berberine.Berberine reversed free-fatty-acid-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through targeting IKKβ.