Aim To explore the effect of oxidized low density lipoprotein （ox-LDL） on human vascular umbilical vein endothelial cell （HUVEC） autophagy and its mechanism. Methods After treatment with ox-LDL for 24 h, Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blot were used to detect Rab4 mRNA and protein expression. After transfection with Rab4 siRNA and Rab4 plasmid, Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of Rab4, Beclin-1 and LC3 induced by 75 mg/L ox-LDL. Results After treatment with ox-LDL for 24 h, the protein expression of Beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were increased. The levels of Rab4 mRNA and protein were obviously decreased with a concentration-dependent manner. When transfection with Rab4 siRNA, the protein level of Beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ induced by ox-LDL were further increased. When transfection with Rab4 plasmid, the increased protein level of Beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ induced by ox-LDL were attenuated. Conclusion ox-LDL increased HUVEC autophagy via down-regulation of Rab4 expression.