Objective To observe the effect of celecoxib on the expression vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in diabetic rats. Methods Thirty-six wistar rats were used to establish the diabetic models by intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into 2 groups: diabetic group (n=18) and celecoxib group (n=18). Celecoxib (50 mg/kg) was administered orally to the rats in celecoxib group and the physiological saline with the same volume was given orally to the rats in diabetic group. Eighteen else rats were in normal control group. All of the rats were executed 3 months later. The expression of VEGF protein was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） analysis was used to examine the expression of retinal VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA. Results Lower positive expression of VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA, weakly positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF, and lower expression of VEGF protein were detected in normal control group; in the diabetic group, the expression of VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA increased obviously comparing with which in the control group (Plt;0.05), and the bly positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF and increased expression of VEGF protein were detected (Plt;0.01); in celecoxib group, the expression of VEGF mRNA was lower than that in the diabetic group (Plt;0.05), the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA didnprime;t decrease much (Pgt;0.05), the positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF decreased, and the expression of VEGF protein decreased (Plt;0.01). Conclusion By inhibiting the activation of cyclooxygenase-2, celecoxib can inhibit the expression of retinal VEGF mRNA and protein in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2007,23:265-268)