Abstract: Objective To detect the glucose effect on expression and function of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in pancreatic beta cell line NIT-1. Methods The cellular localization of 11β-HSD1 was determined by immunocytochemisty in NIT-1 cell. The expression of 11β-HSD1 mRNA and protein were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. The NIT-1 cell were cultured for seventy-two hours in Ham's F12 medium with 10mmol/L ,15mmol/L ,20mmol/L and 25mmol/L.The function of beta cell was evaluated by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion　(GSIS) test. Results (1) The distributing of 11β-HSD1 was cytoplasm which was stained in brown. The expression of 11β-HSD1 mRNA and protein were obtained in NIT-1 cell. (2) With increasing of glucose in medium, the expression of 11β-HSD1 had higher levels and the secretion of insulin were decreased in NIT-1 cell.　Conclusions The pancreatic beta cell line NIT-1 had expression of 11β-HSD1 gene. It suggested local glucocorticoid metabolism in pancreatic islet may be effect beta cell function.

Key words: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, NIT-1 cell, glucocorticoid, insulin