Aim To investigate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone(DHA) on expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC). Methods In vitro cultured VSMC from sprague dawley rat induced by ox-LDL(50 mg/L) were effected by DHA(5 μmol/L).The expressions of VCAM-1 protein and mRNA were determined by immunocytochemistry,Western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results Ox-LDL stimulation significantly induced VCAM-1 expression in VSMC(p<0.05).When DHA was added into the medium simultaneously,ox-LDL inducing VCAM-1 expression was obviously decreased(p<0.05). Conclusions DHA showed inhibiting effects on ox-LDL-induced VCAM-1 expression in VSMC.That may be one of the mechanisms of antiatherosclerotic effect of DHA.