A clinically available mixture of hydroxyethylrutosides (HR) was examined as a protector against endothelial cell activation by hypoxia in perfused human umbilical vein. The results showed that 500 micrograms/mL HR totally inhibited the adherence of human unstimulated neutrophils to the endothelium of umbilical vein incubated in hypoxic conditions. This inhibition was confirmed by a morphological study performed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, neutrophils adherent to the hypoxic umbilical vein endothelium became activated, as evidence by the increased release of superoxide anions and synthesis of leukotriene B4. These processes could also be inhibited by HR. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the improvement in venous insufficiency observed clinically with HR could, in part, be the result of their ability to inhibit the recruitment and activation of neutrophils by endothelium activated during blood stasis.