Objectives To study the gene expression of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated by ouabain in pathological concentration. Methods The response of endothelial cells to ouabain of 1.8 nmol/L was explored with a complementary DNA microarray representing 8 464 different human genes. Results The results of mRNA profiles analysis indicated that 129 of the genes were differently expressed, 26 were upregulated. Conclusions The pathological role of ouabain on HUVEC may be involved in the controlling of DNA transcription、protein translation、 metabolism and signal transduction.