Objective:To explore the effect of different concentrations of D-glucose and different periods of time on autophagy in in vitro cultured podocytes. Methods:In vitro,cultured mouse podocyte clones (MPC5) were incubated with D-glucose at concentrations of 5.6,11,20 and 30 mmol/L for 6,12,24 and 36 h,respectively. The protein expressions of LC3 in podocytes were examined by Western blot and autophagosomes in podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The changes of green fluorescent protein particles were observed after GFP-LC3 transfected podocytes by fluorescence microscopy. Results:①Compared with the 0 h group,the protein expression of LC3-II increased in a time-dependent manner and reach the highest at 24 h in podocytes exposed to 30 mmol/L D-glucose (P < 0.05). At the time of 24 h,the autophagosomes in podocytes and the green fluorescent protein particles in GFP-LC3 transfected podocytes were increased most prominent. ② Compared with the 5.6 mmol/L group,the protein expression of LC3-II was increased in a dose-dependent manner in podocytes exposed to D-glucose with increasing concentrations. In the concentration of 30 mmol/L,the expression of LC3-II was most prominent (P < 0.05). Conclusion:High glucose upregulates the protein expression of LC3-II in time- and dose-dependent manners and induces autophagy in cultured podocytes.