Objective To establish a rabbit pathologic model of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA).Methods 30 Japan flap-eared white rabbits were included in this study.The animal model was created by electric current stimulating of carotid arteries and feeding with high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The PTA operation was performed based on the results of colour ultrasonography and fed with common diet for 4 weeks further.The models were sacrificed and the carotid arteries were taken at 8 weeks after electric stimulation and 4 weeks after PTA,respectively.Blood lipid,carotid artery histopathology including HE and elastic V.G staining,electron microscropic examination and immunohistochemical analysis were performed.Results At 6 weeks after electric current stimulation,the rabbit carotid arteries showed hyperplasia of tunica intima,with lipid-deposition under it and the artery lumen was narrowed.4 weeks after PTA,the hyperplasia in tunica intima and vascular stenosis were more pronounced.The main changes were increased amount of smooth muscle cells(SMCS) and extracellular matrix(ECM) in the tunica intima,with plenty of foam cells and macrophages.Conclusion Significant arterial stenosis can be induced by integration of stimulating carotid arteries with electric current,high-fat diet feeding and PTA operation.The pathological changes in the rabbit model are similar to clinical restenosis after PTA.In addition,the operation is easy to perform and practical,and can be used in researches of pathologic mechanisms and medical intervention of restenosis.