Objective：To investigate changes in activity of nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB） in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1（sVCAM-1） level，to discuss their correlation in patients with coronary heart dis－ease（CHD） and to explore their predictive value in occurrence，development and progress of CHD. Methods：Concentrations of plas－ma sVCAM-1 and NF-κB in patients with acute myocardial infarction（AMI），unstable angina pectoris（UAP） and stable angina pec－tori（SAP） as well as in health controls were determined by ELISA. NF-κB P65 expressiosns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined by immunocytochemical staining and semiquantitative analysis. Results：Concentration of peripheral blood plasma sV－CAM-1 and NF-κB as well as NF-κB activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were higher in AMI and UAP group than in health control group，with statistical differences（P=0.000，P=0.000，P=0.000，P=0.002），however，there was no obvious difference in above indicators between SAP group and health control group（P=0.329，P=0.819）. NF-κB and sVCAM-1 expressions were higher in AMI and UAP group than in SAP group，higher in AMI group than in UAP group（P=0.000，P=0.000）. Activity of NF-κB in mononu－clear cells of peripheral blood was significantly correlated with plasma sVCAM-1 in ACS group（r=0.657，P=0.009）. Conclusions：NF-κB and sVCAM-1 are closely related with atherosclerotic plaque stability and both are involved in the occurrence of CHD develop－ment. sVCAM-1 might contribute to the production of cytokines and chemokines by activating NF-κB，which ultimately results in atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome. NF-κB as a key transcription factor in inflammation may increase expression of sV－CAM-1.