Aim To explore the inhibition of aldosterone(ALD)on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)and its mechanism.Methods MTT was used to measure the proliferation.Flow cytometry assay(FCM)was applied for the detection of the apoptosis;Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor(VEGF)mRNA and VEGF protein were measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results ①Proliferation of HUVEC was inhibited by ALD in a dose-dependent manner,the cell viability of HUVEC decreased gradually.②However,when the concentration of ALD was above 800 μg/L,HUVEC were resistant to ALD.After the cells were incubated with ALD(800 μg/L)for 24 h.The rate of apoptosis in the HUVEC could reach 26.5%±3.3%.③The expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein in HUVEC were decreased after it was incubated with ALD.Conclusion ALD can induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of HUVEC through changing the expression of VEGF.