AIM:To investigate effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose conditions and its mechanism.METHODS:Human retinal vascular endothelial cells were cultured in low glucose or high glucose medium,the genomic DNA was extracted and copy number of mitochondrial DNA was detected by real-time PCR.Effects of resveratrol on the mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose medium were studied.The expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and acetylated proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) were analyzed by Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation.RESULTS:High glucose inhibited the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in retinal vascular endothelial cells.However,resveratrol decreased the level of acetylated PGC-1α in retinal vascular endothelial cells,increased the expression of TFAM and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA.CONCLUSION:Resveratrol may improve mitochondrial function of retinal vascular endothelial cells exposed to a high glucose environment via activation of the PCG-1α-TFAM signaling pathway.