Aim To observe the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) on the proliferation or apoptosis of hyperplasia / hypertrophic vascular smooth muscle cells(HVSMC) induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),and explore whether the mechanism is related to the expression of caveolin-1 and caspase-3. Methods The HVSMC was established by quiet rat vascular smooth muscle cells incubated with Ang II for 24 hours.MTT and flow cytometry were used to determine the ability of proliferation of HVSMC induced by Ang II in the presence or absence of CGRP.Western blotting was used to determine the expression of caveolin-1 and caspase-3. Results Treatment with CGRP for 8 h could inhibit the viability,continuous proliferation of HVSMC induced by Ang II,but it could not significantly induce the HVSMC apoptosis.This effect of CGRP was concomitant with the increased expression of caveolin-1 and with no significant change on the expression of caspase-3. Conclusion CGRP could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HVSMC induced by AngⅡ,but not significantly induce apoptosis of HVSMC,the signal pathway of inhibitory effect of CGRP may be related to the increase of the caveolin1 expression.