Aim To investigate the effects of Simvastatin on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell (hUVEC). Methods The effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Simvastatin on the protein levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in hUVEC were observed by means of immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results TNF-α and IL-1β significantly upregulated the protein levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in hUVEC,which were inhibited by Simvastatin. Conclusion Simvastatin inhibited the upregulations of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 stimulated by proinflammatory factors, which may increase the stability of plaques and decelerate the progression of atherosclerosis.