目的　探讨 β-胡萝卜素在预防脑血管病方面的作用。方法　分别检测 14例脑梗死病人及正常人的血清β-胡萝卜素及低密度脂蛋白、胆固醇、甘油三酯的含量 ,并作相关性分析。结果　发现脑梗死组的血清β-胡萝卜素明显低于对照组 ,而低密度脂蛋白却高于对照组 ,且两者存在负相关 (r=- 0 .6 471,P=0 .0 12 4<0 .0 5 )。结论　推测 β-胡萝卜素能保护低密度脂蛋白免遭氧化损伤 ,在降低脑血管病危险因素方面有一定的作用。 Objective To investigate the role of β-carotene in the prevention of cerebrovascular disease. Methods Serum levels of β-carotene, low density lipoprotein, cholesterol and triglyceride were measured in 14 patients with cerebral infarction and normal controls respectively. The correlations were analyzed. The results showed that β-carotene in cerebral infarction group was significantly lower than that in control group, but LDL was higher than that in control group (r = - 0.676, P = 0.012 4 <0 .0 5). Conclusion It is speculated that β-carotene can protect LDL from oxidative damage and play a role in reducing the risk factors of cerebrovascular disease.