Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on the formation of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) was exposured to ox-LDL (200 mg·L^-1) for 24 h, the cell and culture supernat was measured by Sandwich ELISA, the total RNA was extracted from HUVEC by the guanidinium isothiocyanate, ICAM- 1 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA expression in HUVEC were measured by RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction).ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression on HUVEC were determined by using immunohistochemistry ABC. RESULTS: After exposure to ox-LDL 24 h, ICAM-1 and its mRNA, MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression were markedly increased in HUVEC, and ox- LDL caused cells to retract and increase gaps between cells, and to increase human monocyte transmembrane migration. CONCLUSION: ox-LDL accelerates monocyte and lipid to invade subendothelium and plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerosis.

Key words: atherosclerosis, ox-LDL, adhesion molecular, monocyte chemotactictant protein-1, endothelial cell