Objective To investigate the effect on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells exposed to high glucose. Methods The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with high glucose at concentrations of 10,20,30,40,50 mmol/L for 2,4,6,8,10,12,14 days,cpm value was studied by using tritium-labelled thymidine deoxyribose(3H-TdR)incorporation assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis index,proliferation index and cell cycle. Results Treated with high glucose,the proliferation index and cpm were significantly reduced in a dose and time dependent manner than the control groups(Plt;0.05).The apoptosis index of HUVEC were higher compared with the control groups(Plt;0.05).The percent of the cultured cells in G1 phase in all high glucose groups were increased,the percent in S phase were largely decreased(Plt;0.05). Conclusion Exposed to high glucose,the apoptosis of HUVEC was accelerated and the suppressive effect of high glucose on the proliferation of HUVEC was observed.Endothelial cells were possibly arrested in G1/S checkpoint. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:177-180)