The effect of cell inflammation and lipid metabolism on atherosclerosis development was reviewed. Imbalance of lipid metabolism resulted in inflammation. Abnormal modification and location of lipoprotein promoted inflammation. Lipid metabolism disorders induced inflammation by monocytes, M1 / M2 drift, and NLRP-3 inflammasomes.At the same time, inflammation promoted the lipid uptake and accumulation, and inhibited the cholesterol efflux from cell.Inflammation and imbalance of lipid metabolism jointly promoted the developement of atherosclerosis. We discussed the role of caveolae/ caveolin, NF-κB pathway, and PPAR pathway in the interaction and regulation of cell inflammation and lipid metabolism.