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As one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is so complex that it has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that hypoxia plays a central role in the development of DN. Hypoxiainducible factor (HIF) is a major regulator of adaptive responses to hypoxia. As an important nuclear transcription factor, HIF maintains cellular homeostasis through regulating the expressions of downstream functional genes and participating in cell energy metabolism, erythropoiesis and angiogenesis. As a HIF stabilizer, HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor may suppress the degradation of HIF so as to offer potential renal protections. This review summarized the latest researches on HIF and DN and focused upon the application prospects of HIF stabilizer in DN