Objective To analyze Rxra expression level in 6 tissues of diabetic gerbils and explore the molecular mechanism of diabetes in Mongolian gerbils. Methods We collected 6 tissues including skeletal muscle, liver, adipose, kidney, heart and brain from 6 diabetic gerbils and 6 control animals respectively. Rxra mRNA and protein expression level in 6 tissues were separately detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results The Real-time PCR showed that compared with control animal, mRNA expression of Rxra in skeletal muscle and fat was significantly decreased in diabetic group. However, there are no differences between two groups in the liver. The relative expression level in diabetic group exhibited uptrend compared with control in kidney, heart and brain. According to the results of Western blotting, protein of RXRA in skeletal muscle was significantly decreased in diabetes group. RXRA protein was almost undetectable in adipose tissue. Varied expression was observed in other tissues, but there is no statistical difference. Conclusions Lower expression of Rxra was observed in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of diabetic gerbils. There is no difference in other four tissues expression between the two groups. The results illustrated that the effect of Rxra mainly occurred in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in this diabetic model.