Objective:To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and cell survival in human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in high glucose condition. Methods:HUVECs in vitro were treated with rosiglitazone at different concentrations(ranging from 0 to 30 μmol/L) for 48 h or exposed to10 μmol/L rosiglitazone for 0-24,48 and 72 h,respectively. Gene expression was analyzed at mRNA level by RT-PCR or at protein level by Western blot. The trypan-blue exclusion test was used to study the influence of rosiglitazone on cell survial. Results:Compared to the control groups,the expression of HO-1 was induced by rosiglitazone in a dose and time-dependent manner(P < 0.05),and it could make the cell survival increase(P < 0.05). Conclusion:Rosiglitazone could induce the expression of HO-1 gene in HUVECs cultured in high glucose condition and make cell death atc of endothelial cells decrease. This indicated that rosiglitazone could elevate the capability of the cells counteracting the oxidative stress in high glucose condition,which could protect the vascular function.