Aim To investigate the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an antioxidant, on neutrophils adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and the expression of adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells. Methods The expression of adhesion molecules on HUVEC was measured by a cellular enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA)method,and the adherence of neutrophils to activated HUVEC was detected by Rose Bengal assay. Results After stimulation of HUVEC with TNF-α for 6 h, the adherence of neutrophils to endothelial cells was increased compared with control group (P<0.01). Exposure HUVEC to TNF-α for 4 h or 18 h induced E-selectin expression and increased constitutive expression of ICAM-1 (P<0.01). Pretreatment of HUVEC with 2.5% DMSO for 1 h before stimulation with TNF-α produced a decrease in the neutrophil adhesion and inhibition in the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 (P<0.01). Conclusion DMSO decrease neutrophil adhesion to TNF-α-activated endothelial cell by inhibiting the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1. This result may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antiatherosclerotic potential of DMSO.