Objective: To explore the effects of thiazolidinediones pioglitazone on the mRNA expressions of adiponectin and its receptor in human adipocytes.Methods: We obtained omental adipose tissue biopsies from patients undergoing elective open-abdominal surgery,performed primary culture and differentiation induction of the human preadipocytes,treated them with pioglitazone at different concentrations,and detected the mRNA expressions of adiponectin and its receptor in them by RT-PCR.Results: The mRNA expressions of adiponectin and its receptor were higher in the pioglitazone groups than in the non-pioglitazone control.Conclusion: Pioglitazone promotes the mRNA expressions of adiponectin and its receptor in human adipocytes.