Abstract: Objective To study the neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Method The rat models of 1CH were produced by injecting autologous blood into caudate necleus by using stereotatic techique. One hundred ten male wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely normal group,sham operation group, 1CU group, and EPO treatment group. The immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were used to detect expressions of Bc 1-2 and Bax,and apoptosis cells. LSD- t and Pearson correlation were used to analyzing data. Results The positive cells of TUNEL Bcl-2 and Bax in ICH group and EPO group obviously increased over 6 hours,and reached peak 72 hours later,and decreased over 120 hours,and the positive cells in different intervals significantly decreased in ICH group and EPO group compared with those in sham operation group (P < 0.01). The positive cells of TUNEL and Bax in EPO group in different intervals significantly decreased compared with those in ICH group (P < 0.01). The Bcl-2 positive cells in EPO group in different intervals significantly increased compared with those in ICH group (P < 0.01). The Bax protein expression, Bax/Bcl-2 and apoptosis presented positive correlation (P < 0.01). Conclusions Apoptosis may induce some brain injury after ICH,and EPO can decrease the number of apoptotic cells after ICH by up-regulating Bcl-2 and down-regulating Bax.