One of the earliest observable events in atherogenesis is enhanced monocyte adhesion to the endothelium. In addition to reducing circulating levels of cholesterol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are thought to have direct salutary effects upon vascular cells. We hypothesized that the new statin, rosuvastatin, would have anti-inflammatory effects on the vessel wall. Eight-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were fed a normal chow diet for a period of 12 weeks. During this time mice were administered vehicle or rosuvastatin at a dose of 0, 1, 5, or 20 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection at the same time daily for a period of 2 or 6 weeks prior to sacrifice. At the end of the study, rosuvastatin-treated animals displayed lower plasma total cholesterol levels, whereas showing little change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides. Using a functional binding assay, we also demonstrated that endothelial adhesiveness for monocytes was significantly attenuated after 2 weeks of treatment with rosuvastatin. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction determined that rosuvastatin reduced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and metalloproteinase-9 in the vessel wall. In addition, rosuvastatin inhibited vascular expression of p22(phox) and superoxide production, as well as diminishing plasma 8-isoprostanes concentrations. Thus, treatment with rosuvastatin has acute anti-inflammatory actions that likely participate in its beneficial actions during atherogenesis.