Aim To investigate the expression of caveolin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factors( VEGF) in vascular endothelial cells(VEC) induced by high glucose. Methods The human umbilical vein endothelial cells(ECV304) were cultured in the media containing glucose 0.0 mmol/L and 5.5, 11.1, 22.0, 33.0 mmol/L respectively. After 24 hour, the proliferation of VEC was determined by a colorimetric 3-[4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl]-2,5 -diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The level of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by nitrate reductase method. The localization of caveolin-1 and VEGF protein was examined by immunohistochemistry. Western bolt was used to measure the protein level of caveolin-1 and VEGF. Results The proliferation of VEC was inhibited in concentration-dependent manner (r=-0.776,P=0.000). The level of NO was increased in concentration-dependent manner (r=0.698,P=0.000). Caveolin-1 and VEGF were granular brown substance which located mainly in the cytoplasm. The expression of VEGF was induced by high glucose in concentration-dependent manner(r=0.645,P=0.009). High glucose stimulated caveolin-1 expression in concentration-dependent manner(r=0.808,P=0.000). Conclusion High glucose could inhibit proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. High glucose upregulated the expression of VEGF and caveolin-1 on vascular endothelial cells, which might taken part in development of vascular complications in diabetic.