Objective: To study the effects of ICA on HCY-induced vascular endothelial cells endoplasmic reticulum stress

and to explore ICA anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms. Method: HCY-induced rabbit endothelial cell injury models were established

and co-cultured with different concentrations of ICA for 48 hours

then apoptosis rate was assayed by TUNEL ; Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) gene expression was done by RT-PCR detection; The wanted gene was cloned

identified and sequenced. Result: The fluorescence microscope observation showed that there were majority of apoptotic cells in HCY model group

and in ICA group there was no significant morphological changes of apoptosis. Compared with HCY group

cell GRP78 mRNA expression in ICA treatment group significantly reduced (P<0.01). Sequencing results showed that full-length 648bp gene fragment derived from vascular endothelial cells was highly homologous with rabbit GRP78 gene. Conclusion: ICA can resist HCY-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and slow down vascular endothelial cells endoplasmic reticulum stress

which may be one of the mechanisms of its role.