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The expression of monocyte adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and E-selectin, on the surface of the endothelium is an important step in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. We hypothesized that the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase in endothelial cells could influence the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Using cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, we found that mevastatin (0.1–1μM) significantly reduced the expression of VCAM-1 protein in cells activated by tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for 7h. In contrast, TNF-α-induced E-selectin protein expression was augmented after mevastatin treatment. Mevastatin inhibited the mRNA expression of both VCAM-1 and E-selectin in TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells. The activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB, which is known to regulate the transcription …