MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression. miR-143 has been proposed to play a role in the differentiation of adipocytes in culture. However, the mechanism regulating the expression of miR-143 in adult adipose tissue during the development of obesity in vivo is unknown. Here in, we showed that the expression of miR-143 in the mesenteric fat was up-regulated in mice fed a high-fat diet. Increased miR-143 expression was associated with an elevated body weight and mesenteric fat weight. Furthermore, miR-143 levels Were closely correlated with expression levels of adipocyte differentiation markers such as PPAR gamma and aP2 as well as plasma levels of leptin, one of the important adipocytokines involved in insulin resistance. These findings provide the first evidence for the up-regulated expression of miR-143 in the mesentric fat of high-fat diet-induced obese mice, which might contribute to the regulated expression of adipocyte genes involved in the pathophysiology of obesity. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.