11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11beta-HSD-1) plays a key role in the regulation of intracellular glucocorticoid concentrations. Increased message and/or activity of adipose 11beta-HSD-1 are characteristics of human and animal models of obesity. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) is colocalized with 11beta-HSD-1 and may be a critical factor in determining the oxo-reductase activity of 11beta-HSD-1. This study examined the effects of sucrose solution access on body weight, body composition, and message of 11beta-HSD-1 and H6PDH in mesenteric adipose and liver. Rats were assigned to 3 groups: 1) control (ad libitum intake of nonpurified diet and water only); 2) ad libitum intake of 16% sucrose solution (S16); or 3) ad libitum intake of 32% sucrose solution (S32) in addition to ad libitum intake of diet and water. The S32 group consumed more energy daily than the S16 and control groups, yet body weight did not differ among groups. Percentages of body fat did not differ between the S16 and S32 groups but were higher than in controls. Hepatic 11beta-HSD-1 message was suppressed by 46% in the S16 group and by 47% in the S32 group, whereas the H6PDH message nearly doubled in the S16 group compared to the control group. In mesenteric fat, 11beta-HSD-1 message increased 23-fold in the S16 group and 32-fold in the S32 group and the H6PDH message increased 3.5-fold in the S16 group compared to the control group. These data demonstrate that sucrose can promote increased 11beta-HSD-1 and H6PDH message in mesenteric fat while concomitantly decreasing 11beta-HSD-1 message and increasing H6PDH message in liver. These observations support the hypothesis that sucrose access causes obesity via its ability to increase adipose 11beta-HSD-1.