Aim To learn the effects of advanced glycation end products(AGE) on expression of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein(LOX-1) protein in U937 macrophages and serum soluble LOX-1(sLOX-1). Methods U937 macrophages differentiating for 48 h were incubated with AGE in various concentrations and time.The expression of LOX-1 protein were detected by Western Blotting analysis.Serum sLOX-1 and AGE levels were detected by ELISA in 24 diabetes and 22 normal controls. Results After exposure of U937 macrophages to 100,200 or 400 mg/L AGE,the expression of LOX-1 protein was 1.85-,3.22-and 4.65-fold,as compared with that of control group(P><0.05),LOX-1 protein expression following 400 mg/L AGE for 12,24,48 h was 2.85-,3.89-and 4.3-fold compared with 0 h group(P><0.05).Serum sLOX-1 and AGE levels were significantly increased in diabetes group compared with that of control(P><0.01).They were positively correlated(P><0.001). Conclusion AGE could enhance the expression of LOX-1 protein in a time-and dose-dependent manner,which may play an important role in diabetic macroangiopathy through accelerating foam cell formation.