Background Post-stenting restenosis is a significant clinical problem, involving vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMCs) proliferation and apoptosis. It is reported that c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODNs) local delivered by catheter can inhibit VSMCs proliferation. This study was designed to assess tissue distribution of c-myc ASODN local delivered using gelatin-coated platinum-iridium (R-lr) stents, and its effect on apoptosis of VSMCs.Methods Gelatin-coated Pt-lr stents that had absorbed caroboxyfluorescein-5-succimidyl ester (FAM) labeled c-myc ASODNs (550 μg per stent) were implanted into the right carotid arteries of 6 rabbits. Tissue samples were obtained at 45 minutes, 2 hours, and 6 hours. Tissue distribution of c-myc ASODNs was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, 32 rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Rabbits in the control group (n =16) were implanted with gelatin-coated R-lr stents, and those in the treatment group (n =16) were implanted with gelatin-coated Background It is reported that c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODNs) local delivered by catheter can inhibit VSMCs proliferation. This study was designed to assess this tissue distribution of c-myc ASODN local delivered using gelatin-coated platinum-iridium (R-lr) stents, and its effect on apoptosis of VSMCs.Methods Gelatin-coated Pt-lr stents that had absorbed caroboxyfluorescein- 5-succimidyl ester (FAM Tissue distribution of c-myc ASODNs was implanted by fluorescence microscopy (550 μg per stent) were implanted into the right carotid arteries of 6 rabbits. Tissue samples were obtained at 45 minutes, 2 hours, and 6 hours . In addition, 32 rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Rabbits in the control group (n = 16) were implanted with gelatin-coated R-lr stents, and those in the treatment group (n = 16) were implanted w ith gelatin-coated