Abstract: Objective Many recent studies have indicated that homocysteine(Hcy) is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis(AS). This study aimed to test the effects of Hcy on the vascular smooth muscle cells in rabbits' carotid artery by feeding New Zealand white rabbits with high concentration of Hcy. Methods The carotid artery was separated after feeding with high methionine foods for three months. The vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) in rabbits' carotid artery were separated, cultured and passaged. The intracellular superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidation.The intracellular activity of catalase(CAT) was measured by visible colorimetric method. Results The pathomorphological change of the separated rabbit carotid artery with methionine diet group was compared with control group under optical microscope. I: Intima; M: Medial. The CAT and SOD activity of rabbit carotid artery smooth muscle cells increase under Hcy diet group. Conclusion High Hcy accelerated VMSC proliferation, and may increase peroxidizine damages of VMSCs within the scope of certain dose, eventually accelerate the process of AS.

Key words: homocysteine, hyperhomocysteinemia, smooth muscle cells, oxidative damage, artherosclerosis