Objective To explore the level and its clinical significance of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in cerebrospinal fluid of glioma patients.Methods The level of miR-21 in cerebrospinal fluid were measured by real-time RT-PCR in 40 patients with glioma (glioma group) and 40 normal controls(control group).The relationship between miR-21 and pathological grade were analyzed.Results The level of miR-21 in glioma group was significantly higher than that in control group (0.70 + 0.12 vs.0.43 + 0.09,t =11.3840,P ＜ 0.01).The level of miR-21 in glioma group with Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ pathological grade was 0.66 +0.11,0.71 + 0.12,0.74 ± 0.13,there was no significant difference (F =1.5083,P =0.2345).Conclusions The level of miR-21 in cerebrospinal fluid of glioma patients elevates significantly.It may participate in the occurrence and development of glioma.