Aim To investigate the expression of protein kinase C(PKC) isoenzyme and apoptosis in rats following intralcerebral hemorrhage,and the intervention effect of hirudin.Methods Animal model was made by injecting self arterial blood into the caudate nucleus of rats.75 rats were randomly assigned to control group,cerebral hemorrhage group and aprotinin treated group.After the injection,the rats were sacrificed at 6 h,1 d,3 d,6 d,10 d respectively.The expression of PKC isoenzyme was measured by immunohistochemistry method,and apoptosis detected with TUNEL method over a time course ranging from 6 hours to 10 days.Results Compared with the control group,the level of PKC isoenzyme increased after 6 hours of intralcerebral hemorrhage and reached its climax at the 3 day,then decreased at the 6 day and come back to the normal standard at the 10 day.Administration of aprotinin could reduce the expression and the level of apoptosis.Conclusions The expression of protein kinase C isoenzyme and apoptosis were up-regulated in rats following intralcerebral hemorrhage;Aprotinin can reduce the level of apoptosis;the inhibited expression of PKC isoenzyme may be involved in the mechanisms.