Aim To study the effect of interleukin-10(IL-10) on the expression of adhesion molecules and scavenger receptor lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1) in human vascular endothelial cells,and to approach the function of IL-10 on anti-atherosclerosis. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were randomly divided into four groups: treated with or without oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL),treated with IL-10 plus or minus ox-LDL for 24 h.Flow cytometry technique was used to detect the expressions of E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) on the surface of the cells.Real-time PCR and Western Blotting analysis were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of LOX-1 in the cells. Results After 24 h stimulation,the expression level of E-selectin and LOX-1 on the surface of cells were significantly increased by 20% and 25% respectively in the ox-LDL treated group compared with untreated group.However these remarkable increments were revoked when IL-10 was present at the same time with ox-LDL.But,IL-10 alone had no such effect.The expression levels of ICAM-1 on the surface of cell was not affected by ox-LDL. Conclusion IL-10 has a protective effect on endothelial cells injury induced by ox-LDL,which may be one of the mechanisms of IL-10 in anti-atherosclerosis.The protective effect of IL-10 is probably by down-regulating the expression of LOX-1 and E-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells and inhibiting the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells,reducing the cell activation.