Aim To explore the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods The expression of apoptosis-related genes were detected in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells with the immunofluorescent quantitative skill through laser scanning confocal microscope (ACAS 570). Results It was found that at the high concentration of NPY (10 -6 mol/L),bcl-2 and bax were markedly expressed in cultured smooth muscle cells compared with control group, the fluorescent value of bcl-2 and bax were 1834.25±138.55 and 1870.82±162.43, much higher than 1682.87±94.47 and 1688.04±110.91 in control group respectively (P<0.01). With the concentration becoming down, the expression of related genes were also decreased. But the fluorescent value of fas gene was 1987.68±185.39, higher than 1882.38±160.84 in control group only at the 10 -6 mol/L concentration(P<0.05). Conclusion NPY could induced the expression of apoptosis-related genes such as bcl-2, bax and fas in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.