Aim To clarify the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ on the calcification in rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) and its signal transduction. Methods Calcification of cultured rat VSMCs was prepared by incubation with β-glycerophosphate.Calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining,and calcium content, alkaline phosphatases activity,osteocalcin and core binding factor alpha 1(Cbfa1) mRNA expression were measured. Results Angiotensin Ⅱ enhanced the increase of calcium content,alkaline phosphatases activity,osteocalcin concentration and Cbfa1 mRNA expression in calcified VSMCs(p<0.05).Angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor blocker valsartan and selective protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitor inhibited the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ on vascular calcification(p<0.05). Conclusions These data suggested that β-glycerophosphate-induced calcification in VSMCs was enhanced by angiotensin Ⅱ through angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor and PKC-Cbfa1 pathway.