Aim To observe the effect of asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA) on oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor(LOX-1) expression,and to investigate the significance of ADMA in atherogenesis.Methods34 Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly: ①Control group (n=7): Fed by normal diet and water.②High fat diet group (n=9):Fed by high fat diet and normal water.③ADMA group(n=9): Fed by high fat diet,water with ADMA [0.2 mg/(kg·d)].④L-Arg group(n=9): Fed by high fat diet,water with ADMA [0.2 mg/(kg·d)] and L-Arg [12 mg/(kg·d)].18 weeks later,the rats were anesthetized,and aortas were gathered.The expression of LOX-1 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results①The expression of LOX-1 mRNA in ADMA group(1.608±0.114) was higher than that of control group(0.363±0.027) and high fat diet group(0.480±0.065)(p<0.001,either);In L-Arg group(0.902±0.037),LOX-1 mRNA expression decreased compared with ADMA group(p<0.01);② The expression of LOX-1 protein increased in ADMA group(0.662±0.063)compared with control group(0.111±0.022)and high fat diet group(0.251±0.004)(p<0.001,either),Compared with ADMA group,the expression of LOX-1 protein decreased in L-Arg group(0.364±0.117)(p<0.05).ConclusionADMA accelerates the expression of LOX-1 in rats' aortas,this might be related to atherogenesis.