Abstract: Objective To observe the interstitial collagen and the expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and TIMP-2 after chronic hibernating myocardium(CHM) in rabbits. Methods Twenty-seven rabbits were assigned to the following two groups: chronic hibernating myocardium group(CHM，n=15)， sham-operatioin group(SHAM，n=12). The interstitial collagen volume fraction(ICVF) and the changes in the type and proportion of collagen fibers were observed. The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry and western bolt. Results Comparing with the SHAM group, ICVF was significantly increased（P < 0.01）; the ratio of collagen I to Ⅲ and collagen ratio score(CRS) were greatly increased (P < 0.01); the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were markedly increased （P < 0.01）in CHM group, while TIMP-2 was greatly decreased（P < 0.01）. Conclusions During the progress of CHM, the balance of MMPs/TIMPs tended to disorder , and this may be one of the potencial mechanisms of interstitial remodeling .