Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) on proliferation and apoptosis of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Methods The proliferation of RPMCs treated with PDS containing glucose of different concentrations for different times in vitro were examined by MTT colorimeric assay. The cell cycles and cell apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry. Results After PDS treatment for 1 h, the cell proliferation inhibition rate, percentage of cells at G0/G1 stage and early cell apoptosis rate increased, and such increment was more manifest with higher glucose concentration in PDS and longer treatment time of the cells. After treatment with PDS containing 4.25% glucose for 3 h, the proliferation inhibition rate of the RPMCs reached 44.12%, the percentage of cells at the G0/G1 stage amounted to 71.95% and the early apoptosis rate reached 23.59%, which was several times higher than that of the negative control and 1.5% glucose/PDS groups, and also higher than that of 4.25% mannitol/PDS groups. Conclusion PDS containing high-concentration glucose can induce significant apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of RPMCs in vitro.