ObjectiveTo study the effect of clopidogrel on the endothelial function of the rabbit with experimental atherosclerosis(AS). Methods Twentyseven New Zealand male white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: ① normal control group ,②model control group and ③ drug treatment group. Rabbits of group ① were fed on a diet (100 g·d-1) containing no cholesterol for 12 consecutive weeks. Rabbits of group ② and group ③ were fed on a diet (100 g·d-1)containing 1.5% cholesterol for 12 consecutive weeks as well. In the meantime, rabbits of group ③ were given each 4 mg·kg-1 of clopidogrel administered by gastrogavage q.d.. At the end of the 12th week, blood samples were collected from the central artery of the ear. Serum lipids were determined with enzymic methods, serum endothelin(ET) and hypersensitive C responsive protein(hs-CRP) were assayed with ELISA and serum nitric oxide(NO) was determined with the oxidase method. Specimens of the aortic arch were taken and morphometry was used to calculate the ratio of the area of the atherosclerotic plaques to that of the intima and the ratio of the thickness of the intima where the plaque was most prominent to that of the media. Results Serum lipid, ET, and hsCRP levels in animals of group② (the model control group) and group ③ ( model + clopidogrel treatment) were obviously higher than those in animals of group ①(normal control)(P<0.05). In contrast, serum NO levels in rabbits of group ② and group ③ were significantly lower than those in rabbits of group ①(P<0.05). The difference between animals of group ② and group ③ with respect to the serum lipid levels was not significant. However, serum ET and hsCRP levels in animals of the model control group were significantly higher while serum NO contents were strikingly lower than those in rabbits treated with clopidogrel (P<0.05).Morphologically, the atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta were of much less severity in rabbits of the drug treated group(group ③) than those of the model control group. Conclusion Clopidogrel was shown to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and protect the function of the vascular endothelium, and these effects of the drug may be related to its inhibitorty action on the local inflammation of the artery.