Aim To investigate the effect of pobucol on the prevention of restenosis after balloon angioplasty in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits,and to examine the expression of growth factor. Methods 32 white rabbits were randomly divided into high cholesterol diet group (n=16)and probucol group (n=16),after one week of diet,all rabbits were injured on carotid artery by balloon angioplasty. Carotid artery tissues were harvested at 8 weeks after injury by balloon. During 8 weeks the rabbits were fed with hypercholesterolaemic diet and probucol. The areas of lumen of blood vessel,intima and elastic fibers dying were observed by HE staining,and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by immunohistochemical method. Results Compared with the high cholesterol diet group,the lumen areas of the probucol group were larger (P<0.01),the intimal areas were smaller (P<0.05 ),and the expression of IGF-1R and VEGF significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions Probucol can prevent the restenosis of rabbits' carotid artery from balloon angioplasty injury,and inhibit the expression of IGF-1R and VEGF.