Hydrostatic pressure has direct effect on vascular endothelium. Endothelial lipase (EL) is a newly identified member, only secreted by endothelial cells, of the triglycerides lipase family. EL may be one important determinants of HDL-metabolism and inflammation acting at the vessel wall. However, little is known about regulation of EL at the vessel wall. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on EL and its possible mechanism were investigated. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, increasing pressures (120, 150 and 180 mmHg) treatment in a custom-made pressure incubator increased the mRNA and protein expression level of EL without obvious cells apoptosis.180 mmHg treatment up-regulated EL mRNA and protein about 2.2, 2.54 fold relative to pressure atmosphere, respectively. Inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB MG132 attenuated the high pressure induction of EL expression level, which is half of EL expression in 180 mmHg treatment group. These findings provide new insights into the effect of hydrostatic pressure on EL expression through nuclear factor-κB signal pathways.