Objectives Although there is evidence that visfatin is associated with atherogenesis, the effect of visfatin on plaque stability has not yet been explored. Methods In vivo, vulnerable plaques were established by carotid collar placement in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, and lentivirus expressing visfatin (lenti-visfatin) was locally infused in the carotid artery. The lipid, macrophage, smooth muscle cell (SMC) and collagen levels were evaluated, and the vulnerability index was calculated. In vitro, RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with visfatin, and the MMPs expressions were assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence. And the mechanism that involved in visfatin-induced MMP-8 production was investigated. Results Transfection with lenti-visfatin significantly promoted the expression of visfatin which mainly expressed in macrophages in the plaque. Lenti-visfatin transfection significantly promoted the accumulation of lipids and macrophages, modulated the phenotypes of smooth muscle cells and decreased the collagen levels in the plaques, which significantly decreased the plaque stability. Simultaneously, transfection with lenti-visfatin significantly up-regulated the expression of MMP-8 in vivo, as well as MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Recombinant visfatin dose-and time-dependently up-regulated the in vitro expression of MMP-8 in macrophages. Visfatin promoted the translocation of NF-kappa B, and inhibition of NF-kappa B significantly reduced visfatin-induced MMP-8 production. Conclusions Visfatin increased MMP-8 expression, promoted collagen degradation and increased the plaques vulnerability index.