In order to clarify the endotoxin effect on the hepatic removal of insulin, the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli 0111:B4 on the insulin binding and endocytosis in cultured hepatocytes from adult male rats has been investigated. LPS decreases both processes in a time and temperature-dependent manner, showing a major effect at short time and low temperature, according to the characteristics of LPS binding and uptake.