The effects of riluzole were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The diameter of retinal vessels and the number of pericytes were severely reduced. The levels of MCP1 and PKC were increased, while riluzole reversed all changes. Riluzole attenuated the level of MCP1 in AGE- or mLDL-treated retinal pericytes. Riluzole attenuated both MCP1 induction and pericyte loss in diabetic retinopathy.