Abstract:Aim To investigate whether hyperhomocysteinemia could induce vascular inflammatory response in aorta of rabbit. Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were ramdomly divided into control group and methionine group. After twelve weeks, the level of homocysteine (Hcy) were measured, aortic lesion were obsersved, Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced after high methionine diet, aortic endotheliocyte came off and local intima thickened. The production of IL-8 and activation of NF-κB were increased by hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusions Hyperhomocysteinemia can induce vascular inflammatory response. Inflammatory response is one of potential cellular mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia accelerates atherosclerosis.