Objective: To find the prevention of restenosis after transluminal angioplasty (TA).Methods: Sixty rabbit iliac arteries of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A

B and C

20 in each. After experimental atherosclerotic stenosis and TA performing

ordinary forage plus 2 g of Hirudo (Hirudo nipponica whitmania) powder was fed to group A every day

to the group B

2 gSalvia miltiorrhiza (red sage root) powder was added and to the group C

ordinary forage only. Angiography and pathomorphological examination were carried out 30 days later.Results: (1) Hirudo significantly reduced the thickness of iliac intima as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05)

the thickness in the group A

B and C was 40.1 ± 9.8 μm

48.2 ± 8. 2 μm and 69. 3 ± 9. 2 μm respectively. (2) The incidence of restenosis after TA in both group A (31.4%) and group B (48.4%)were significantly lower than that in the group C (62.8%

P < 0.05). The difference was also found between the group A and B(P < 0.05). (3) Ultrastructure examined by transmission electron microscopy showed that less rough endoplasmic reticulum and more myofilaments in well differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) of the arterial intima in the group A and B

while in the group C

more rough endoplasmic reticulum

more synthetic cells were seen in SMC.Conclusions: Hirudo andSalvia miltiorrhiza could effectively inhibit the hyperplasia of SMC in arterial intima and reduce intima thickness and the incidence of restenosis after TA significantly

thus it might play a role in the prevention of restenosis after TA. The effect of Hirudo is more potent than that ofSalvia miltiorrhiza.