To clarify the relationship between cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation we studied the effect of hypercholesterolaemia on in vivo cytokine production and leukocyte migration, in a murine model of local inflammation. Hypercholesterolaemia reduced of 40% the leukocyte recuitment by inhibiting interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production in the pouch exudate, without affecting vascular permeability or leukocytes motility. (C) 2000 Academic Press.