It has been reported that glomerulosclerosis mediated by the dysfunction of mesangial cells and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not yet known the effect of high glucose on IGF-I, -II secretion, IGF-I receptor, and IGFBPs expression in the mesangial cells. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the effect of high glucose on IGF system and its involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and oxidative stress in mesangial cells. In this study, high glucose (25 mM) increased IGF-I and IGF-II secretion and mRNA expression (P<0.05), which was blocked by PKC inhibitor (staurosporine, 10^-8 M) and antioxidant (N-acetyl cystein, 10^-5 M). High glucose decreased IGFBP-1 and -2 expression but increased IGFBP-5 expression. These alteration of IGFBPs by high glucose was also prevented by staurosporine and NAC, suggesting the role of PKC and oxidative stress. Indeed, high glucose increased PKC activity. Furthermore, high glucose-induced increase of lipid peroxide (LPO) formation was blocked by PKC inhibitors. In conclusion, high glucose alters IGF system via PKC-oxidative pathways in mesangial cells.