Aim To investigate the role and mechanism of tert-butylhydroquinone(tBHQ) on lipoppolysacchride(LPS)-induced impairment of human umbilial vein endothelial cell(HUVEC).Methods Before treated with LPS,HUVEC were cultured with tBHQ in vitro.MTT analysis measured the effects of LPS and tBHQ on HUVEC;Western blot analysis measured the effects of tBHQ on the levels of Nrf2 in HUVEC;DCFH-DA measured the effects of tBHQ on the levels of ROS;Western blot and ELISA analysis measured the effects of tBHQ on the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6.Results Compared with control group,viabilities of HUVEC were decreased significantly by LPS(P<0.05).However,the effects of LPS could be attenuated notably by tBHQ(P<0.05).Pretreatment with tBHQ could increase the expression of nuclear Nrf2 protein significantly(P<0.05),and reduce the levels of ROS,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6(P<0.05).Conclusions To prevent LPS-induced impairment of HUVEC,tBHQ can decrease the levels of ROS inflammatory factors induced by LPS via inducing translocation of Nrf2.