Recent years, widespread long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) were identified and known as regulator of gene expression. Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. There was no research reported the role of IncRNAs in DGP. In this study, we firstly established a rat model of DGP by STZ injection. Then, we detected the expression of MALAT1 and found that expression of MAIAT1 was up-regulated in rat model of DGP, comparing to the control group (P < .01). Furthermore, we revealed that MALAT1 expression was increased in the samples from diabetic patients with DGP symptoms, in comparison with the control. In addition, we demonstrated that the inhibition of MALAT1 increased the expression of alpha-SMA and SM myosin heavy chains, reduced the cell viability, inhibited the potential of cell migration and induced cell apoptosis in human gastric smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Ultimately, we found that the regulation of MALAT1 expression modulated the function of high-glucose stimulation in human gastric SMCs. Therefore, our study firstly indicated that MALAT1 was up-regulated in DGP and played an important role in the pathogenesis of DGP. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.