The aim of the work was to investigate the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 1 and 2, hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH), and glucocorticoids receptor (GR) mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from obese women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and the association between their expression and the adipocytokines' concentration. Sixteen women with PCOS (group P) and 18 age- and BMI-matched control women (group C) were enrolled for the study. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was collected from the abdomen. The genes' expression was detected by real-time PCR, and the adipocytokines' concentration was measured by ELISA. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostatic assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). β-cell function was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-IS). The expression of 11β-HSD1 mRNA was significantly higher in PCOS subjects (p<0.05) than controls; there was no difference for the expression of 11β-HSD2, GR, and H6PDH mRNA between the 2 groups. The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the mRNA level of 11β-HSD1 was positively correlated to the concentration of the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Expression of 11β-HSD1 mRNA was increased in the SAT from the women with PCOS, which may contribute to the increased local active glucocorticoids (cortisol), and subsequently affects the secretion of the local adipose tissue.