Objective:To investigate the effect of Resveratrol(Res)on the expression of high glucose-activated transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in rat renal mesangial cells. Methods:①Cultured rat renal mesangial cells were exposed to D-glucose at 30 mmol/L for periods of 24, 48, 72 h, respectively. Normal glucose(5.6 mmol/L) served as control. ②Cultured rat renal mesangial cells were divided into four groups:normal glucose(5.6 mmol/L), high glucose(30 mmol/L), normal glucose plus Resveratrol (20 μmol/L), high glucose plus Resveratrol at 5, 10, 15, 20 μmol/L, respectively for periods of 48 h. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1 were measured by RT-PCR and the protein levels of TGF-β1 were detected by Western Blotting. Results:As compared to normal cells, exposure of rat renal mesangial cells to D-glucose at concentrations of 30 nmol/L caused a time-dependent increase in the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and reached the highest level at approximately 48 h. The addition of Resveratrol significantly attenuated high glucose-enhanced mRNA and protein levels of TGFβ1(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. No notable difference at the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 was found between Res and NC group(P > 0.05). Conclusion:High glucose contributes to an increasing of TGF-β1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in rat renal mesangial cells. Resveratrol can significantly reverse high glucose up-regulated expression of TGF-β1 in the rat renal mesangial cells and may play a role in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.