Aim To study the impact of hyperlipidemia on endothelial lesion during the early stage of atherosclerosis. Methods The investigation included control, hyperlipidemic and gemfibrozil treated groups. Hyperlipidemic model was set up on the 4 week atherogenic diet, followed by a 16 week treatment in the treated group [gemfibrozil 60 mg/(kg·d)]. Serum TC, TG, NO level were measured. Expressions of VCAM 1 and cell adhesiveness on aortic endothelium were observed and analyzed by computer aided system. Results Compared with the control group, hyperlipidemic rats showed lower level of NO, stronger and more expansive endothelial expression of VCAM 1. Moreover there was an increase in leukocyte accumulation on the endothelial surface. In contrast, in treated group, expression of VCAM 1 as well as leukocyte adhesion were significantly decreased which associated with improvement of endothelial dysfunction. Conclusions NO activity would be inhibited by hyperlipidemia which facilitated the endothelial impairment of VCAM 1. Gemfibrozil could prevent atherogenesis by restoring endothelial function.