Objective      To study the effect of adenovirus vector-mediated human receptor activity modifying protein-1（hRAMP1）on expression of inflammatory cytokines in rabbits after carotid artery saccule plastic operation for carotid atherosclerosis.       Methods      A rabbit atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis model was established and underwent angioplasty. Thirty-six rabbits were randomly divided into RAMP1 group（n=18）and control group（n=18）. On days 7

14 and 28 after they were injected with pAd2-eGFP-RAMP1 or phosphate buffered saline（PBS）

serum levels of TNF-α and CRP were measured by ELISA. Expression of hRAMP1 target gene in carotid artery was detected by Western blotting and expression of TNF-α in carotid artery was detected with immunohistochemical staining. Morphology of carotid artery was observed with HE staining.       Results      The expression level of TNF-α was 74.13±4.99

93.40±6.69 and 67.46±6.57

respectively

on days 7

14 and 28 after angioplasty

and 64.95±6.77

75.29±4.73 and 45.08±5.00

respectively

on days 7

14 and 28 after injection of exogeneous hRAMP1(P0.05）. The expression level of CRP was significantly lower in RAMP1 group than in control group on days 7 and 14 after injection of adenovirus (29.27±1.57 vs 43.96±7.88

9.68±1.60 vs 13.51±1.68

P0.05）. However

no significant difference was found in the expression level of CRP on day 28 after injection of adenovirus between the two groups. The hRAMP1 protein was expressed in local injured blood vessels on day 28 after injection of adenovirus and the TNF-α expression level was significantly lower in hRAMP1 group than in control group. HE staining showed that the neointimal area was significantly smaller in hRAMP1 group than in control group on days 7

14 and 28 after injection of adenovirus（0.07±0.18 vs 0.14±0.02

0.15±0.05 vs 0.39±0.09

0.35±0.05 vs 0.56±0.05

P0.05）.       Conclusion      Exogenous hRAMP1 can regulate the expression of CRP and TNF-α and reduce the restenosis of atherosclerotic carotid artery after angioplasty.