Objective To investigate the effects of aliskiren on ventricular remodeling in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the related mechanism. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=15):sham group, control group, perindopril group and aliskiren group.After ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery, the rats in perindopril group and aliskiren group were given perindopril or aliskiren for 8 weeks, respectively.The concentration of hs-CRP in serum was assayed by ELISA.The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TGF-β was detected by immunehistochemistry.The mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β, Collagen Ⅰand Ⅲ was determined by RTPCR.Protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TGF-β was determined by Western blotting. Results The concentration of hs-CRP was significantly lower in perindopril group and aliskiren group than in the control group (P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-β, Collagen Ⅰand Ⅲ were significantly downregulated in perindopril group and aliskiren group as compared to the sham group (P<0.05).Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TIMP-1 were significantly upregulated in perindopril group and aliskiren group as compared to those in sham operated group (P<0.05). Conclusion Aliskiren can downregulate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-β, Collagen Ⅰand Ⅲ and hs-CRP, upregulate TIMP-1.There is no significant difference between perindopril and aliskiren in ventricular remodeling in rats with AMI.