Aim To investigate the effects of oxidized lipoprotein (a) [ox-Lp(a)] on the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α)in cultured human umbilical endothelial cells (hUVEC). Methods Native Lp(a)[n-Lp(a)] and different concentrations of ox-Lp(a) were incubated with hUVEC. Cell ELISA was used to detect the expression of MIP-1α. Monocyte adhesion assay was used to detect the Monocyte adhesion. MIP-1α mRNA expression were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Ox-Lp(a) dramatically enhanced the levels of MIP-1α in a dose dependent manner, increasing MIP-1α epression in hUVEC by 121%±8% at 5 nmol/L,163%±13% at 10 nmol/L and 241%±28%at 20 nmol/L. In addition, 10 nmol/L of ox-Lp(a) for 2 h could significantly increase the amount of monocyte adherence to endothelial cells. Moreover, RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the amount of MIP-1α mRNA increased after treatment with ox-Lp(a) for 24 h. Conclusion Ox-Lp(a) can induce MIP-1α expression in hUVEC, which may thereby influence the pathogenesis of athersclerosis.