In order to investigate the effects of simvastatin on secretion and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production and mRNA expression of IL-6 and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The results showed that simvastatin could significantly suppress LPS-induced IL-6 production and mRNA expression in adipocytes (P<0.05), but increase the LPS-induced adiponectin secretion and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). It was suggested that simvastatin could exert beneficial effects on prevention of obesity-induced metabolic changes in adipocytes.