Aim To explore the effect of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on stromal cell derived factor -1α (SDF-1α) expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). Methods and Results Primary rat VSMC was incubated with different concentrations/time of ox-LDL, SDF-1α mRNA and protein was revealed by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. SDF-1α was constitutionally expressed in rat VSMC and was concentration-dependently up-regulated by ox-LDL within 0～50 mg/L, 5 folds up-regulation was induced by 50 mg/L ox-LDL; SDF-1α expression was peaked at 12 h and then followed with a decline, but maintained at 3 folds level of basal expression. Conclusion Oxdizied LDL powerfully induces upregulation of SDF-1α in rat vascular smooth muscle cell.