Objective:To evaluate the effects of Formoterol(β2-adrenergic receptor-specific agonist)and ICI118551(β2-adrenergic receptor-specific antagonist) on proliferation and apoptosis of rat osteoblast-like cells induced from marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MMSCs). Methods:MMSCs by whole bone marrow adherent culture derived from a three-week-old female SD rat are induced to osteoblast-like cells .After different concentrations of Formoterol and ICI118551 are added into the culture medium,The cell proliferation is evaluated with the method of MTT and the cell apoptosis is evaluated by the methods of Annexin V-FITC/PI and TUNEL. Results:The proliferation of cells cultured with different concentrations(10-5~10-9 mmol/L) of Formoterol are all obviously low. As to ICI118551,high concentrations (10-5 and 10-6 mol/L)can inhibit the proliferation of cells while low concentrations(10-8 and 10-9 mol/L) can enhance proliferation. Both Formoterol and ICI118551 have minimal effects on the cell apoptosis. Conclusion:The β2-adrenergic receptor-specific agonist can inhibit the proliferation of rat osteoblast-like cells in vitro while the effects of theβ2-adrenergic receptor-specific antagonist are not single,depending on its concentration. Both of them have minimal effects on the cell apoptosis.