To investigate the effect of hyaluronic acid embolization on arterial wall and the expression of interleukin 1 (IL-1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Methods Nine white rabbits were randomly divided into control group, HA group and ligation group, with 3 rabbits in each group. The control group was injected with normal saline, the HA group was injected with hyaluronic acid to embolize the blood vessels, and the ligation group was ligated with surgical suture to block the blood flow of the blood vessels. 5 ml blood samples were collected before operation and 1, 3 and 5 days after injection, and the expression levels of IL-1, MMP9 and VEGF in arterial blood were detected by real-time PCR. All white rabbits were sacrificed on the 5th day, and the vascular wall of the central artery of the rabbit ear was stained with HE and observed under a microscope. Results The QPCR results showed that expression levels of IL-1, MMP9 and VEGF in ligation group and HA group were higher than those in control group (P <0.05), and the expression levels of IL-1, MMP9 and VEGF in the ligation group were higher than those in the HA group (P <0.05). HE staining results showed that the arterial wall structure of the control group was intact. There was slight intimal hyperplasia in HA group. The intimal hyperplasia was severe and the smooth muscle layer was disordered in the ligation group. Conclusion The expression levels of IL-1, MMP9 and VEGF in arterial blood can be increased by hyaluronic acid injection embolization or artery ligation, which can lead to arterial wall remodeling. However, the embolization caused by hyaluronic acid injection has less effect on the expression levels of IL-1, MMP9 and VEGF and arterial wall remodeling than that of artery ligation.