Objective:To investigate the effects of glycine on hypoxic impair in cells. Methods:MDCK cells were cultured in a modular incubator chamber full of 95% N2 and 5% CO2 in the presence or absence of glycine for 24 h,36 h,48 h,72 h and 84 h. We observed the effects of glycine on cellular proliferation under hypoxic conditions by MTT method. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation activities of ERK1/2,p38MAPK and Akt in cells. Results:The proliferation of MDCK cells cultured under hypoxic conditions decreased significantly,while the proliferation increased after glycine treatment. Protective effect of glycine on cells was found at 24 h,36 h and 48 h of hypoxia. Activation of p38MAPK and depression of ERK1/2 and Akt in MDCK cells were detected when oxygen was deprived. Treatment with glycine antagonized the hypoxia-induced phosphorylative changes in ERK1/2,Akt and p38MAPK. Conclusion:Glycine could protect MDCK cells from early hypoxic injury. Activation of ERK1/2 and Akt but suppression of p38MAPK may contribute to the cytoprotective mechanisms of glycine on hypoxic impair in MDCK cells.