Aim To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration,nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and cathepsin S (Cat S) expression.Methods Rat VSMC were isolated and cultured from Sprague-Dawley rat thoracic aortas.The Boyden chamber test was used to measure the role of different concentrations of atorvastatin on the cell migration stimulated by IL-1β.The expression of Cat S and NF-κB in different groups was evaluated using the immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Compared with that of normal group,the cell migration in IL-1β group was promoted,Cat S and NF-κB expression increased (P<0.01).1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L atorvaststin could inhibit IL-1β-induced VSMC migration in a dose-dependent manner,so did in NF-κB and Cat S expression ( P<0.01).Conclusion Atorvastatin may decrease Cat S expression in VSMC through down-regulating NF-κB activation,which might inhibit the VSMC migration.