The abilility of γ-emitting palladium-103 stent implantation to inhibit in-stent restenosis in rabbit iliac arteries was investigated. Quantitative histomorphometry of the stented iliac segments 28 days after the implantation indicated that palladium-103 stents made a significant reduction in neointimal area and percent area stenosis compared with the nonradioactive stents. Lumen area in the palladium-103 stents treatment group was larger than the control group. However, the reduction of neointima formation by palladium-103 stents implantation was in a non-dose-dependent fashion. Low ionizing radiation doses via γ-emitting palladiurn-103 stent are effective in preventing neointimal hyperplasia in iliac arteries of rabbits. Palladium-103 stents can be employed as a possible novel means to prevent in-stent restenosis.