Abstract:Aim To give an overview of the field of antioxidation and restenosis prevention with probucol,and investigate their potential use for the prevention of atherosclerosis progression. Methods A meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 4.2.10. We searched PubMed (1966~2007.9),EMBASE (1980~ 2007.9),CBMDisc(1980~2007.9),CNKI(1994~ 2007.9),the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL,in the Cochrane Library -Issue 3,2007) and hand searched reference textbooks,articles and scientific proceedings. It was collected by Randomized controll trials (RCT) and quasi-RCT to compare probucol with placebo and no treatment or other convention. Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed by using the fixed or random effects model after testing for heterogeneity. The results were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes and relative risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Seven studies involving 525 participants were identified for oxidized LDL levels. Average ox-LDL decreased significantly with probucol compared to placebo in all [SMD-2.38,95%CI (-3.39~-1.38)]. Four studies involving 179 participants were identified for flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Average FMD decreased significantly with probucol compared to placebo in all [SMD 1.97,95%CI (0.60~3.35)]. Four studies involving 335 participants were identified for lumen area (LA). Average LA decreased significantly with probucol compared to placebo in all [WMD 0.80,95%CI (0.41~1.20)]. Similarly,eleven studies involving 856 participants were identified for minimal lumen diameter (MLD). Average MLD decreased significantly with probucol compared to placebo in all [WMD 0.32,95%CI (0.22~0.42)]. The pooled result of 13 studies involving 1132 participants showed