Aim To study the non-lipid mechanisms of atorvastatin treating atherosclerosis by observing the changes of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Methods The rabbit model of atherosclerosis were prepared by feeding the high fat diet and immune stimulation,then 0.435 mg/(kg·d) suspension of atorvastatin was given for 1 month.It was observed for the rabbit serum superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity,malondialdehyde(MDA) and oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) levels and lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol receptor-1(LOX-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) gene and protein expression. Results Compared with the control group,rabbit serum SOD activity was significantly decreased(P<0.01),serum MDA,ox-LDL was significantly higher(P<0.01);mRNA and protein expression of aortic LOX-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,and MCP-1 were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in atherosclerosis model group.Compared with model group,rabbits serum SOD activity was significantly increased(P<0.01),serum MDA,ox-LDL levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01);mRNA and protein expression of aortic LOX-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,and MCP-1 were significantly lower in atorvastatin group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions Atorvastatin possesses anti-oxidative stress and inflammatory response,thereby it can protect the vascular endothelium and play a therapeutic role in atherosclerosis.