Background It’s established that Lectin- like oxidized low- density lipoprotein receptor- 1( LOX- 1) is involved in intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury. The recent evidence also suggests that valsartan has an antiatheroscletic effect. In this study, the expression of LOX-1 and the effect of valsartan on its expression was investigated in rat aorta after balloon injury. Methods Rat model of aortic endothelial denudation was induced by 2F balloon catheter. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, operationand valsartan treatment. The aortic tissues were taken from rats in each group on days 14 and 28 after surgery. The thickness of vascular wall was measured with HE stain, LOX-1 mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerse chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, significant intimal thickening was observed at day 14 and 28 after injury. Compared with the operation group, intimal thickness of each time point was significantly decreased in valsartan treatment group. At day 14 and 28 after balloon injury, the expression levels of LOX-1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased, and were greatly decreased after valsartan treatment. Conclusions The expression of LOX-1 is increased after endothelial injury. Valsartan inhibits aortic intimal thickening induced by endothelial de nudation, which is associated with the downregulation of LOX-1 expression. Background It’s established that Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor- 1 (LOX- 1) is involved in intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury. The recent evidence also suggests that valsartan has an antiatheroscletic effect. In this study, the expression of LOX- 1 and the effect of valsartan on its expression was investigated in rat aorta after balloon injury. Methods Rat model of aortic endothelial denudation was induced by 2F balloon catheter. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, operation and valsartan treatment. The aortic tissues were The thickness of the vascular wall was measured with HE stain, LOX-1 mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerse chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, significant intimal thickening was observed at day 14 and 28 after injury. Compared with the operation group, intimal thick At day 14 and 28 after balloon injury, the expression levels of LOX-1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased, and were greatly decreased after valsartan treatment. Conclusions The expression of LOX- 1 is increased after endothelial injury. Valsartan inhibits aortic intimal thickening induced by endothelial de nudation, which is associated with the downregulation of LOX-1 expression.