Aim To determine if treatment with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors(statins) can influence the development of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms(AAAs). Methods Twenty-four Wistar Rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups(n=12).An animal model of AAAs was established by perfusion of the aorta with elastase,treated for 14 days with Atorvastatin 4 mg/(kg·d) or with NS alone.The expression of MMP-9 and NF-κB were observed in aortic tissue by immunohistochemistry staining or by RT-PCR. Result The incidence of AAAs was reduced by 70%(2 of 10 rats treated with atrovastatin vs.9 of 10 rats treated with vehicle ;P<0.05).The development of AAAs in vehicle-treated rats were accompanied by a dense transmural inflammatory response,and complete destruction of the elastic media.MMP-9 and NF-κB expression increase significantly in vehicle-treated rats.Inflammatory infiltration was less found in Atorvastatin-treated rat,and little MMP-9 and NF-κB expression in atrovastatin-treated rats. Conclusion Treatment with Atorvastatin reduced the development of elastase-induced experimental AAAs.The underlying mechanism was associated with structural preservation of aortic wall elastin and the presence of a chronic inflammatory response,there was a relative reduction in aortic wall expression of MMP-9and NF-κB,the effect is independent on serum cholesterol levels.