AimTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) on inflammatory cytokines secretion in oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated THP-1 macrophages.MethodsThe THP-1 macrophages were preincubated with CAPE at different concentrations for 2 h, and then treated with ox-LDL(40 mg/L) for 24 h.The secret levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 in cells were determined by ELISA.After treated with 40 mg/L of ox-LDL for the indicated times, the expression of COX-2 in THP-1 macrophages was measured by Western blot.Subsequently, THP-1 cells were pretreated with indicated concentrations of CAPE, and then incubated with or without 40 mg/L of ox-LDL for 1 h.The expressions of COX-2, IκB-α and nuclear NF-κB were measured by Western blot.ResultsCAPE suppresses the ox-LDL-induced up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 in THP-1 macrophages.The expression of COX-2 was markedly increased by ox-LDL, which, however, could be significantly attenuated by CAPE.CAPE suppresses ox-LDL induced IκB-α degradation and NF-κB nuclear translocation in THP-1 macrophages.ConclusionCAPE suppresses inflammatory cytokines secretion in ox-LDL treated THP-1 macrophages through inhibition of NF-κB activation and COX-2 expression.