Objective To investigate stress induced Nox-4 expression and to explore its role in adipose inflammation. Methods Twenty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two groups ( n=10 each) , chronic restraint stress group and control group. Stress mice were restrained in self-made restraint device for 2 hours per day for 14 days. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and ELISA were used to analyze the expression of Nox-4, CD11b, antioxidant protein ( Mn SOD, GSH-Px, Catalase), adipocytokines ( adiponectin, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-a). Results White adipose tissue (WAT) of stress mice inguinal fat pad significantly shrank compared to control group. HE staining showed that there were a large number of mononuclear cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and cell infiltration reactions and inflammatory changes in WAT of stress mice. The stress significantly increased CD11b-positive cells and the expression of mF4/80, CD68. The concentration of serum FFA in stress group increased significantly, nearly twice of the control group ( P<0.01) . Nox-4 positive staining cells in stress WAT were deeper and more abundant. The level of Nox-4 in stress WAT was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.01). The levels of antioxidant proteins such as Mn-SOD, GSH-Px, and catalase in stress WAT were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.01). The expression levels of adiponectin in stress WAT were significantly reduced as compared to control group ( P<0.01) . The levels of MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in stress WAT were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Stress may lead to imbalance of adipose oxidation/antioxidant system and abnormal expression of adipocytokines, which may result in adipose inflammation.