Increasing evidence suggests that O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) levels are increased in response to stress and that acute augmentation of this reaction is cytoprotective. We used a novel and reliable contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) model and the results showed that augmented O-GlcNAc signaling by glucosamine prevented the kidneys against iohexol-induced injury by the attenuation of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Furthermore, both alloxan and specific inhibitors of PI3K (Wortmannin and LY294002) blocked the protection of glucosamine via inhibiting Akt signaling pathway.