Objective To investigate the effects of expression of TNFα mRNA on glucose uptake in both the liver and skeletal muscle after endotoxemia. Methods In the mice with intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the changes of TNFα level of plasma and uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) in the isolated soleus muscle and hepatic tissues were determined, then the reinstatement of glucose uptake by injecting TNF-McAb for 3 days was also observed. In addition, changes of TNFα mRNA expression of liver were evaluated. Results The expression of TNFα mRNA in the liver showed markedly increased in the first 3 hours post endotoxemia and remaind high for 3 days, and the plasma TNFα level paralleled with TNFα mRNA expression of liver also was elevated. The basal uptake of 2-DG both in muscle and liver were markedly increased, but the stimulated 2-DG uptake with insulin was greatly reduced as compared with the control. In addition, these abnormalities of 2-DG uptake can be partially corrected by neutralization of the circulatory TNFα by administration of TNF-McAb. Conclusion The disorders of glucose uptake of the liver and the muscle due to the overexpression of TNFα mRNA and elevated circulatory TNFα level may be the mechanism of insulin resistance after endotoxemia.