Aim To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods The comprised normotensive control (WKY)and hypertensive groups(SHR) were taken as the objects of study,of which blood pressure,urinary β₂-microglobulin,Bun,Scr were acquired at 12-week old and 32-week old respectively,at the same time,the renal expression of CTGF were determined,when the rat were sacrificed. Results In SHR,the blood pressure,urinary microglobulin,except Bun,Scr were significantly increased compared with age-matched controls,even in the SHR group,the urinary β₂-MP in 32-week old group were markedly increased,compared with that in 12-week old group. Semi-quantitative assessment of the immune-histochemical staining showed that renal expression of CTGF in SHR groups were significantly increased compared with that in WKY groups. Futher more,in SHR,the expression of CTGF in 32-week old group were also markedly increased compared with that in 12-week old group,and it is positively corelated with the increasing of urinary β₂-microglobulin. Conclusion Renal expression of CTGF is increased in SHR,which is possibly involved in the development of renal damage.