Objective To investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) on apoptosis and calcium ion concentration of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) in rats, and to explore the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO).Methods The cultured SMSCs were divided into five groups: control group,H_2O_2 group, 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups.Apoptosis rates and calcium ion concentration of SMSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by Hoechst33258 staining.Results The apoptosis rates showed significant differences (all P<0.05) among (1.93±0.57)% in control group, (22.13±1.79)% in H_2O_2 group, (16.47±2.53)%, (4.97±0.55)% and (2.93±0.47)% in 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups, respectively.And calcium ion concentrations in SMSCs were 12.67 ±0.32, 27.90±0.06 and 44.53±0.93 in 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups, respectively.There was significant difference in calcium ion concentration between H_2O_2 group and control group (9.70±0.09 vs.51.37± 0.64, P< 0.05).Morphology of apoptosis was observed by Hoeehst33258 dye stains in 10, 20 U/ml EPO intervention group and H_2O_2 group, while there were less apoptotic bodies in 40 U/ml EPO intervention group and control group.Conclusions EPO might have protective effects on SMSCs injured by H_2O_2 through inhibiting apoptosis and calcium ion releasing from SMSCs.