AIM:To investigate the expression and role of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its relationship with neovascularization and retinal cell apoptosis.METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (4, 8, 12 and 16wk, n=10 in each group) and diabetes mellitus (DM) groups (4, 8, 12 and 16wk, n=10 in each group). A diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). After 4, 8, 12 and 16wk, rats were sacrificed. Retinal layers and retinal neovascularization growth were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscopy. Cell apoptosis in the retina was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and NF-κB distribution and expression in the retina was determined using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: DM model success rate up to 100%. Diabetes model at each time point after the experimental groupcompared with the control group, the blood glucose was significantly increased, decreased body weight, each time point showed significant differences compared with the control group (P<0.01). After 12wk other pathological changes in the retina of diabetic rats were observed; after 16wk, neovascularization were observed. After 1mo, retinal cell apoptosis was observed. Compared with the control group, NF-κB expression in the DM group significantly increased with disease duration.CONCLUSION:With the prolonging of DM progression, the expression NF-κB increases. NF-κB may be related to retinal cell apoptosis and neovascularization.