Objective: To investigate whether and how glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can protect podocytes from apoptosis induced by advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs). Methods: Murine podocytes were stimulated with 200 mu g/ml AOPP for 48 h in the presence or absence of GLP-1. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay. Podocyte apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Superoxide radical production was assayed using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, and Western blotting was used to measure expression of RAGE, NADPH oxidase subunits p47(phox) and gp91(phox), as well as apoptosis-associated proteins p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3. Results: Incubating podocytes with AOPPs reduced cell viability, triggered changes in cell morphology and promoted apoptosis. GLP-1 partially inhibited AOPP-induced apoptosis, O-2(-) overproduction, and AOPP-induced expression of RAGE. GLP-1 inhibited expression of p47(phox) and gp91(phox) in AOPP-treated podocytes, and it attenuated AOPP-induced expression of p53, Bax and cleaved caspase-3, whereas it restored expression of Bcl-2. Conclusion: GLP-1 partially inhibits AOPP-induced apoptosis in podocytes, perhaps by interfering with the AOPP-RAGE axis, decreasing oxidative stress and inhibiting the downstream p53/Bax/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway. GLP-1 may be a useful anti-apoptotic agent for early intervention in diabetic nephropathy. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.