RÉSUMÉ
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of Pueraria thomsonii on insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>3T3-L1 adipocytes model of insulin resistance was made by dexamethasone and the change of glucose concentration in cell culture was determined after action of drugs. Rat animal model of insulin resistance was made by intramuscular dexamethasone (1 mg x kg(-1), every other day), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting serum insulin (FINS) were enamined, and at the end of the experiment, insulin sensitive index (ISI) and insulin resistance index (IRI) were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>P. thomsonii decreased the concentration of glucose in 3T3-L1 adipocytes culture significantly and improved the sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin. P. thomsonii improved the sensitivity of rats to insulin and diminished the fasting serum insulin and insulin resistance index.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P. thomsonii can significantly improve insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone.</p>