AIM: To determine the involvement of Ets-1 in the pathological progress of the experimental diabetic retina. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Total RNA and total proteins were isolated from retinas of experimental and control eyes at 4 weeks after STZ-injection and were assessed by Northern blot analysis and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Expression of both Ets-1 mRNA and Ets-1 protein was significantly increased in the experimental diabetic rat's retina after STZ-injection compared with the control group (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Ets-1 is involved in the pathological progress of experimental diabetic retina. Further studies should be conducted to focus on the relationship between Ets-1 and VEGF in the diabetic retina.