Aim To explore the protective effect of uric acid on human umbilical vein endothelial cell （HUVEC） injury induced by oxidative stress and its underlying mechanism. Methods HUVEC were divided into four groups: control group,tert-butyl hydroperoxide （t-BHP）-treated group,uric acid-treated group,t-BHP plus uric acid-treated group.Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay.Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） level was detected by DCFH-DA fluorescence probe.Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.NF-E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） expressions in the mRNA and protein level were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results t-BHP treatment caused significant decline in cell viability of HUVEC,which was attenuated by uric acid treatment.Moreover,intracellular ROS level was down-regulated in t-BHP plus uric acid-treated group compared with t-BHP-treated group.Cell apoptosis rate exhibited similar trend.All four groups exhibited similar Nrf2 mRNA level.However,the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was elevated significantly in both uric acid-treated group and t-BHP plus uric acid-treated group. Conclusions Uric acid could prevent HUVEC from oxidative stress possibly via Nrf2 nuclear translocation and activation.