〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate whether norepinephrine(NE) regulates the oxidative stress in human endometrial epithelial cells(hEECs) by activating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signal pathway. Methods Cultured hEECs were used. The expression of α and β adrenergic receptors was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was applied to test the effect of NE on cell viability, then the cells were divided into Control group and NE treatment group, and the appropriate concentrations were chosen. The expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and zona occludens-1(ZO-1), apoptosis-related proteins apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2 protein(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), antioxidant proteins Nrf2 and HO-1 were examined by Western blot. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The malonaldehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the cell culture medium were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit(ELISA). Results The mRNA expression of α1 a, α1 b, α2 a, α2 b, α2 c, β1, β3 was detected in the hEECs. After the NE treatment, no significant change in cell viability was observed in low concentration(5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L) groups, while 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L NE treatments for 6 h or 24 h promoted the cell viability significantly. The expression of ZO-1 and Occludin increased significantly in 15 μmol/L group after 24 h treatment, the expression of ZO-1 decreased in 6 h treatment group, significant down regulation was observed after 15 μmol/L NE application, the expression of Occludin increased in 6 h group. The cell apoptosis increased compared with the control group after NE stimulation, especially a significantly increase in 6 h 15 μmol/L group was detected, while the fall in increased apoptosis was observed after 24 h treatment. The ration of Bcl-2/Bax>1. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was elevated by NE. There was no obvious change in MDA level while significant elevation in SOD was detected in cell culture medium. Conclusion Nrf2/HO-1 signal is activated after application of NE to the hEECs, which may responsible for the upregulation of SOD, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effect in the hEECs.