Compositions and methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis and/or accelerated atherosclerosis are provided, including an inhibitor of oxidized or malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) for administration to a subject. Exemplary inhibitors of oxidized LDL include an anti-oxidized LDL antibody, which results in a reduction in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine from primary monocyte in vitro and the plasma cytokine level of inflammatory cytokine in vivo.