Aim To investigate the effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)on the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)in THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophage cells.Methods After induced by 150 nmol/L phorbol 12 myristate 13 acetate(PMA)for 48 h,THP-1 monocyte cells differentiated into macrophage cells.And THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophage cells were identified by immunocytochemistry with anti-human CD68.After THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophage cells were incubated with ADMA of different concentrations(1 μmol/L,5 μmol/L,10 μmol/L,20 μmol/L,30 μmol/L)for 24 h and 20 μmol/L ADMA for 0 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h,the expressions of MIF in mRNA and protein were measured by means of RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively.Results Treatments of THP-1 macrophage cells with 5 μmol/L,10 μmol/L,20 μmol/L,30 μmol/L ADMA for 24 h resulted in an increase in the mRNA and protein levels of MIF.Treatments of THP-1 macrophage cells with 20 μmol/L ADMA for 12 h,24 h,48 h,resulted in an increase in the mRNA and protein levels of MIF.Conclusion ADMA upregulated the expression levels of MIF in cultured THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophage cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner,which may result in the atherosclerosis.