High glucose induces autophagy in podocytes

► High levels of glucose could promote autophagy in podocyte. ► The effect of high levels of glucose was further enhanced by rapamycin. ► The effect of high levels of glucose was inhibited by 3-methyladenine. ► The effect of high levels of glucose was associated with podocyte expression of LC3-2 and beclin-1. ► High levels of glucose promotes podocyte autophagy through the generation of ROS.