objective:to observe the effects of recombinant resistin (rr) on proliferation, invasion, metastasis and matrix metalloprotease-2(mmp-2) expression of human cholangiocarcinoma cell line qbc939. methods:mtt and transwell were used to analyze the effects of different concentrations of rr on proliferation,invasion and migration of qbc939 cells;the expression level of mmp-2 protein in qbc939 cells was examined by western blot. results:rr significantly promoted the proliferation of qbc939 cells when the concentration of rr was higher than 10 ng/ml(p < 0.01),the effect was dose-dependent to some extent. after treated with 10, 50, 100 ng/ml rr for 24 h,the capacity of invasion and migration of qbc939 cells were significantly stronger in rr group than in control group(p < 0.01). the expression of mmp-2 protein was up-regulated significantly in qbc939 cells treated with resistin for 24h. conclusion:rr significantly increases the invasion and metastasis of qbc939 cells in vitro, and the possible mechanism may be related with up-regulation of mmp-2 level.