To investigate the effect of miR-590-5p on the expression of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) in apoptotic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by ox-LDL, and to explore the role of miR-590-5p in modulating HUVECs apoptosis.HUVECs were exposed to ox-LDL (50 μg/mL) for 0 to 48 h. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC stain and was distinguished from necrosis by propidium iodide (PI) staining. The relative expression level of miR-590-5p in HUVECs was analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). HUVECs were transfected with miR-590-5p mimics or miRNA mimics control followed by 50 μg/mL ox-LDL stimulation for 48 h. LOX-1 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and apoptosis in HUVECs was analyzed by flow ctyometry after Annexin V-FITC/PI double stain.Incubation of HUVECs with 50 μg/mL ox-LDL for 0 to 48 h resulted in a time-dependent induction of apoptotic cell death and down-regulation of miR-590-5p. Transfection of miR-590-5p mimics suppressed LOX-1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, leading to a reduction of ox-LDL-induced apoptosis in HUVECs.MiR-590-5p protects endothelial cells from ox-LDL induced apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of LOX-1.