ObjectiveTo assess the inhibitory ability of sarpogrelate on neointimal hyperplasia of carotid artery in rat balloon-injuried model, and to compare the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) by monitoring the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). MethodsTwenty-four male SD rats (SPF, 8 weeks) were allocated prospectively and randomly into 3 groups: blank group, sarpogrelate group, and clopidogrel group. Each group included 8 rats. All the rats were fed high-fat diet for 1 week before the operation. No drug was fed in the blank group, and sarpogrelate 100 mg/(kg·d) or clopidogrel 20 mg/(kg·d) was fed in the sarpogrelate group or clopidogrel group respectively. The carotid artery of rat was dilated by the Forgarty balloon catheter. The rats were killed 2 weeks later and the samples were got in the balloon-injuried carotid arteries. Histomorphological analysis and immunohistochemical analysis were proceeded. The thickness ratio and area ratio of intima and media, the ratio of PCNA positive cells and PCNA absorbance were calculated among the three groups. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the average intimal thickness, average intimal area, thickness ratio of intima and media, area ratio of intima and media, PCNA absorbance, and ratio of PCNA positive cells were significant decreased in the sarpogrelate group (P < 0.001) and the clopidogrel group (P < 0.001), but which had no significant differences between the sarpogrelate group and the clopidogrel group (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the average media thickness or area among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionSarpogrelate and clopidogrel could significantly reduce the thickness or area of intima, the absorbance of PCNA and the ratio of PCNA positive cells.