Objective To investigate the effects of β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) activation on the apoptosis in human mesangial cells and it's mechanism.Methods Cultured HMC were used in experiments and were divied into four groups:the control group; β-AR activation (β-AR agonist NE/Pra) group; β-AR inhibitor (Prop) group; antioxidants group.The experiments technology including PCR,confocal scanning microscope,immunofluorescence and Tunel.Results The results of RTPCR and confocal scanning microscope showed that β1-AR and β2-AR were expressed in human HMC.β-AR activation induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase in human MCs,the relative levels of ROS were elevated as early as 0.5 h after β-AR activation,and gradually increased and peaked at 4 h on a concentration and time dependent manner.Tunel results demonstrated that β-AR activation induced apoptosis with ROS on a concentration and time dependent manner,β-AR blocking agent-propranolol significantly inhibited β-AR activation induced apoptosis.Antioxidants including vitamin C and NAC could inhibited β-AR activation induced apoptosis (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions β-AR is functionally expressed in human mesangial cell,furthermore β-AR activation-induced ROS increase mediate apoptosis.Antioxidants can inhibit β-AR activation induced apoptosis.