Objective:To investigate the significance and different expressions of microRNA-210 in astrocytic tumors and oligodendroglial tumors. Methods:Tissue samples were divided into three groups including the normal brain tissue group,the oligodendroglial tumor group and the astrocytic tumor group. The astrocytic tumors were divided into four groups including group A[pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I)],B[diffuse astrocytomas (WHO grade II)],C[anaplastic astrocytomas(WHO grade III)]and D[glioblastoma (GBM,WHO grade IV)]. The expression of miR-210 was examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The correlation between the expression of miR-210 and the astrocytic tumors was analyzed by Spearman correlation test. Results:The expression level order of miR-210 was group D> group C> group B and group A. There was statistically significant difference between groups except group A and B (P < 0.001). The grade of astrocytic tumor and the expression of miR-210 had positive correlation. However,the expression level of miR-210 in anaplastic astrocytomas was lower than in oligodendroglial tumor,and was low in oligodendroglial tumor (P < 0.005). Conclusion:Since expression of miR-210 showed significant differences in different origins and different grades,it can be used as an auxiliary identification method for the histopathologic examination of glioma from different origins,or as a biomarker for the observation of the progression of astrocytic tumor as well.