Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the effects of taurine on blood glucose, lipids, oxidative stress indicators and important targets of Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in insulin-resistant rat models, and to explore its molecular regulatory mechanism. METHODS SD rat model of insulin resistance was established, and fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein in normal group, model group, metformin group, taurine high-dose group and taurine low-dose group was determined after continuous intragastric administration for 7 weeks, insulin resistance index was calculated. ELISA method was used to measure superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA) in liver tissue, and RT-PCR was used to detect Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, NQO1 mRNA expression level. RESULTS After 7 weeks of administration, compared with the model group, FBG and fasting insulin of insulin resistant rats in taurine high-dose group were decreased(P<0.05), and the levels of TC and TG were decreased(P<0.05); SOD in liver tissue of rats was increased, MDA was decreased(P<0.05); the mRNA levels of HO-1, NQO1 and Nrf2 in liver tissues were up-regulated(P<0.05) and Keap1 mRNA was down-regulated(P<0.01). CONCLUSION Taurine can regulate blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats, improve oxidative stress and reduce insulin resistance in model rats. It may be related to the regulation of key gene expression in Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway to improve oxidative stress.