Aim To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced lipid accumulation and CD36 expression in THP-1 macrophages.Methods THP-1 macrophages were co-incubated with 50 mg/L ox-LDL and different concentrations of atorvastatin(0,0.312,1.25 and 5 μmol/L)for 24 h,and the unmixed THP-1 macrophages culture was used as the control group.3H-labeled Cholesterol influx was determined by FJ-2107P type liquid scintillator.Oil red O staining was used to observe the intracellular lipid droplets.Cellular total cholesterol was determined by high performance liquid chromatography analysis.CD36 mRNA and protein levels were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blotting respectively.Results Atorvastatin decreased CD36 in both protein and mRNA levels.Atorvastatin decreased cholesterol influx in THP-1 macrophages.The levels of cholesterol influx were 35.90%±2.36%(control),47.10%±3.18%(0 μmol/L atorvastatin),41.20%±2.88%(0.312 μmol/L atorvastatin),35.10%±2.35%(1.25 μmol/L atorvastatin),28.30%±1.98%(5 μmol/L atorvastatin)respectively.Oil red O staining showed intracellular lipid droplets were minor with the presence of atorvastatin.High performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated the amount of cellular total cholesterol were 78.24±11.35 mg/g(control),123.13±15.92 mg/g(0 μmol/L atorvastatin),115.36±13.18 mg/g(0.312 μmol/L atorvastatin),107.52±12.05 mg/g(1.25 μmol/L atorvastatin)and 98.03±10.24 mg/g(5 μmol/L atorvastatin).Conclusion Atorvastatin may downregulate ox-LDL-induced CD36 expression and decrease lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages.