Increased oxidative stress has been associated with obesity-related disorders. In this study, we investigated how oxidative stress, in different ways of exposure, regulates gene expression of various adipokines in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Exposure to 100-500 mu M H2O2 for 10 min, as well as exposure to 5-25 mU/ml glucose oxidase for 18 h, similarly decreased adiponectin, leptin, and resistin mRNAs, and increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA. Secretion levels of adipokines were also changed by oxidative stress in parallel with mRNA expression levels. Although a peak increase in plasminogen activator. inhibitor- I mRNA was achieved between 4 and 8 h after exposure to H2O2 for 10 min, significant decreases in adiponectin and resistin mRNA were observed after 16 It, while leptin mRNA was decreased earlier. Our results suggest that oxidative stress, even of short duration, has a significant impact on the regulation of various adipokine gene expressions favoring atherosclerosis. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.