Background　It has been reported that low-dose dopamine（LDD）（intravenous dosage less than 5 μg·kg-1·min-1）can protect the kidney against hypoperfusion by increasing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate（GFR）. However, in recent years, novel studies have demonstrated that LDD is not able to ameliorate the renal function and increase the long term survival rate of patients at risk of kidney injury essentially. Therefore, LDD suffered queries from more and more scholars， as a result, the application of LDD has become a controversial issue.　Objective　To summarize the advancement about pharmacological effects of LDD on the renal function as well as its influential factors and underlying mechanisms. Meanwhile, to provide practical suggestions for the clinical application of LDD.　Content　Due to its specific effect on kidney, LDD was once widely used clinicaly in the past, however, its effect is influenced by a variety of factors and cannot be guaranteed. Meanwhile, the mechanism of it's action on the kidney is also complicated, which means that LDD may lead to increasing the kidney oxygen demand and depressing the tubuloglomerular feedback system responsiveness.　Trend　LDD, as a conventional drug for kidney protection, is not yet to be recommended for routine use at present and its application prospect should be reconsidered.