Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of telmisartan on expression of adiponectin receptors 1/2 in rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose.Methods Cultured rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) which were synchronized in vitro were divided into 6 groups:normal control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose medium culture, 24h), hypertonic control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose medium with 19.5 mmol/L mannitol treatment, 24h), high glucose group (25 mmol/L glucose medium for 12h, 24h, 48h,72h respectively), high glucose+telmisartan group25 mmol/L glucose medium with different concentrations of telmisartan (1, 10, 100 nmol/L) for 24h, high glucose+telmisartan+GW9662 group (pretreatment with 5 000 nmol/L PPARγ blocker GW9662 for 30 min, then 25 mmol/L glucose and 100 nmol/L telmisartan for 24h), high glucose+GW9662 group (pretreatment with 5 000 nmol/L PPARγ blocker GW9662 for 30 min, then 25 mmol/L glucose for 24h). The reverse transcription time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of adiponectin-receptors 1/2, PPAR-γ mRNA and protein levels in each group.Results In rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by high glucose, telmisartan could promote adiponectin receptors 1/2 expression through the pathway of PPAR-γ.Conclusions In rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by high glucose,telmisartan could promote adiponectin receptor 1/2 expression through the pathway of PPAR-γ.