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Objective To investigate the effects of epinephrine on the proliferation, migration and invasion of the glioblastoma cell lines U87MG and U251. Methods The U87MG and U251 glioblastoma cell lines were treated with various concentrations of epinephrine (0.1, 1, 10, 50, 100 μmol/L). MTT assay, scratch wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were used to investigate cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Cells treated without epinephrine were set as control group for the above assays. Gelatin zymography, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results Following treatment with epinephrine, the proliferation of U251 and the migration and invasion of both U87MG and U251 were significantly increased compared with that of the blank control group. Furthermore, a dose-dependent association was identified between the effect and epinephrine dose. Propranolol, a kind of β adrenoreceptor (β-AR) blocker, could reverse the effect of epinephrine on U87MG and U251 glioblastoma cell lines. The expression and activity of MMP-9 was significantly increased and affected by raising of epinephrine dose. Conclusions Epinephrine treatment could stimulate proliferation, migration and invasion of human glioblastoma cells, which may related to the increase of MMP-9 expression, and could be reversed by β-AR blockers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]