Aim To study the effect of Valsartan on the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ)and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and the secretion of interleukin-6(IL-6)in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods Male Japanese White Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:control group,cholesterol group,Valsartan group.All rabbits were fed according to experiment design for 12 weeks.Blood samples were taken from vein for detection of serum lipid.The intima-media thickness was measured.PPARγ and MCP-1 were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.IL-6 in serum was evaluated by ELISA.Results The expression of PPARγ mRNA was higher in Valsartan group than cholesterol group(1.75±0.23 vs 1.12±0.16,p<0.05).The expression of MCP-1 mRNA was lower in Valsartan group than cholesterol group(1.14±0.22 vs 1.95±0.32,p<0.05).The levels of IL-6 was lower in Valsartan group than cholesterol group(32.42±6.12 vs 83.73±5.42 ng/L,P <0.05).The ratio of intima-media reduced obviously in Valsartan group than those of cholesterol group(p<0.05).Levels of serum TC、TG、LDL-C in cholesterol group and Valsartan group were significant higher than those of control group(p<0.01),but they had not significant difference between cholesterol group and Valsartan group.Conclusions Valsartan could inhibit the MCP-1 mRNA expression and IL-6 level by increasing PPARγ mRNA expression in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits.