Aim To study the effects of cholesterol (CH) on proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Methods VSCMs were treated with 12.5 mg/L, 25.0 mg/L, 50.0 mg/L CH. VSMC activity were analyzed by MTT kit, the percentage of DNA synthesis were detected by EdU kit, the percentage of S phase cell numbers were measured by flow cytometry and VSMC migrations were detected by scratch assay. The expression of miR145 was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results 12.5 mg/L, 25.0 mg/L, 50.0 mg/L CH can increase VSMC proliferation, migration and the percentage of S phase cell numbers (P＜0.05). 25.0 mg/L, 50.0 mg/L CH promoted DNA synthesis percentage of VSMC, decreased the expression of miR-145 in VSMC (P<0.05). Conclusion Cholesterol increased the percentage of S phase VSMC number, cells proliferation, DNA synthesis and migration, and miR-145 may be involved in these processes.