Aim To observe and evaluate the effect of intermittent hypoxia(IH) on plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂(Lp-PLA₂), interleukin-6(IL-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) by the rabbit model of chronic intermittent hypoxia and the atherosclerosis formation. Methods Using randomized controlled study, prospective animal, variance analysis and so on. 36 New Zealand White rabbits(4 months old) were divided into two groups randomly. According to intermittent hypoxia time at 4, 8, 12 weeks, intermittent hypoxic group and control group were divided into 3 groups separately. There were 3 groups in the control group(C1, C2, C3) and the intermittent hypoxia group(IH1, IH2, IH3). There were 6 rabbits in each groups. Intermittent hypoxia group were placed in hypoxic chamber to treat by intermittent hypoxia for 8 hours per day. Weighting is at the fourth week, eighth week and twelfth week separately. The content of Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1 was tested by ELISA method. At the same time, the abdominal aorta was stained by HE staining to observe the formation of atherosclerosis. Results (1) The plasma levels of Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1 increased as time among IH1, IH2, IH3 and all control groups(P<0.05), which was the most obvious at 12th week.(2) At the 4th week, 8th week and 12th week, the plasma levels of Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1 had no difference in control groups.(3) The plasma levels of Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1 had a positive correlation with each other(P<0.05). The correlation coefficient was 0.75, 0.55 and 0.76 among Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1(P<0.001).(4) The formation of atherosclerosis in aortic tissue can be observed by HE staining after intermittent hypoxia intervention. Conclusion The plasma levels of Lp-PLA₂, IL-6 and VCAM-1 was increased by intermittent hypoxia and had a correlation. IH may mediate the aggregation of inflammatory cytokines to lead to vascular endothelial injury and participate the formation of atherosclerosis.