to studythe effectof high-concentration insulinonthe exPressionof vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured rabbit retinal Müller cells in vitro . METHODS: Müller cells were cultured with insulinof different concentrations (4×10³ , 8×10³ , 12×10³ U/L). Immunocytochemistry,in situ hybridization and ELISA were conductedto assaythe exPressionof VEGF in cultured Müller cells in vitro at different insulin concentrations qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: VEGF exPression was enhancedobviously by high concentrationof insulin. CONCLUSION: Insulin Plays an imPortant role in neovascularizationof diabetic retinoPathy(DR) by stimulatingthetranscriPtionofthe VEGF gene in Müller cells so asto enhancethe exPressionof VEGF Protein.