Aim To investigate tissue factor (TF) mRNA expression in adipocytes of atherosclerotic rabbit, and the effects of fenofibrate on the expression of TF in adipocytes. Methods Male rabbits (n=15) were randomly separated into three groups. Normal group were fed with normal diet for 12 weeks, and the other two groups were fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks and then assigned to 30 mg/(kg·d) fenofibrate and placebo for 4 weeks. At the end of 12 th week from the start of experiment, subcutaneous adipose was collected for adipocytes culture under deep anesthesia. The level of TF mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results The atherogenic diet caused a consistent increase in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) (p<0.05) and did not affect serum triglyceride (TG) levels. Fenofibrate did not change serum levels of TG and TC. In the rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet, TF mRNA expression in adipocytes was elevated (1.081±0.011 vs. 0.939±0.018, p<0.01). Fenofibrate significantly reduced TF mRNA (0.893±0.022 vs. 1.081±0.011, p<0.01). Conclusion TF mRNA expression increases in adipocytes of atherosclerotic rabbit. Fenofibrate reduces TF expression in adipocytes,which suggests that fenofibrate may have an antithrombtic effect.