Objective To observe the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mediated inflammatory factors in the aorta of Zuker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with early atherosclerosis(AS), and observe the intervention effect of atorvastatin. Methods ZDF rats models of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) and AS were established by feeding high-fat diet accompanied with multiple injections of vitamin D₃(VD₃). Meanwhile, half of these rats were also given atorvastatin(ATV). Changes of serum glucose, lipids, insulin, ox-LDL and hsCRP were tested. Morphological changes of aorta tissues were examined by histopathology. The gene expressions of NLRP3 and some other inflammatory mediators were also quantified. Results After feeding high-fat diet, the glucose, lipids, insulin and ox-LDL levels of ZDF rats in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).After VD₃ injecting, pathological changes also occurred in the early stage AS. Moreover, the hsCRP level was increased along with elevated gene expressions of NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β and TNF-α in the aorta tissues (P<0.05). Nevertheless, the serum glucose, lipids, insulin, ox-LDL and hsCRP levels in ZDF rats of the ATV group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The pathological changes were attenuated and gene expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and TNF-α in the aorta tissues also significantly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusions NLPR3 inflammasome and its mediated inflammatory mediators participate in the inflammatory responses during the early AS development. ATV can inhibit the gene expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, and alleviate the inflammatory responses during atherosclerosis.