[en] The effects on vascular restenosis of intravascular radiation delivery from ¹⁸⁸Rhenium (Re)-perrhenate liquid-filled balloon through beta-particle radiation are controversial. To determine the effect of beta-radiation on vascular injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, thirty rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet were enrolled into this study. All the rabbits underwent percutaneous transluminal balloon overstretch over left iliac artery. After balloon overstretch, the catheter was withdrawn and immediately followed by irradiation using low dose ¹⁸⁸Re solution (10 Gray) in the vascular wall 0.5 mm distal to intimal surface. After 2 and 6 weeks, arteries were harvested for histological and immunological analysis. This rabbit study suggest that endovascular ¹⁸⁸Re low dose irradiation at the non-injury segment of iliac artery may enhance intima hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell proliferation. (author)