The influence of stable analogues of prostacyclin (carbacyclin) and thromboxane A2 (U46619), as well as lipoxygenase inhibitors, on the lipid metabolism of cells cultured from atherosclerotic intima of human aorta was analyzed. Carbacyclin and at concentrations of 200 ng/ml during 24 hours of incubation caused a 2-fold decrease in the level of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in cells obtained from atherosclerotic lesion. Phospholipid and free cholesterol content did not change during the same period. Carbacylin decreased incorporation of [14C]oleate into intracellular neutral lipids. U46619 produced intracellular lipid accumulation. U46619 stimulated uptake [14C]oleate into triglycerides and cholesteryl esters. Two lipoxygenase inhibitors possessed "antiatherosclerotic" activity in primary culture significantly reducing cholesteryl ester content of cells isolated from atherosclerotic lesions.