OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether atorvastatin inhibits oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Ox-LDL)-stimulated foam cell formation from THP-1 macrophages by regulating the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Methods THP-1 macrophages were pretreated with 10, 20, or 40 µmol/L atorvastatin for 2 h, and after washing with PBS twice, the cells were incubated with 60 µg/ml of Ox-LDL for 48 h. The quantity of intracellular lipid of the cells was detected with Oil red O staining and enzymatic fluorometric method. The expression of the scavenger receptors of CD36 and SRA were analyzed with Western blotting. We also examined the effect of atorvastatin on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression and the activation of PPARγ and p-iκB, and further assessed the capacity of the macrophages to bind to Dil-oxLDL.

RESULTSAtorvastatin potently inhibited ox-LDL-induced macrophage-derived foam cell formation, down-regulated the expression of CD36 and SRA, and up-regulated the expression of ABCA1. Atorvastatin markedly suppressed the activation of PPARγ and p-iκB in ox-LDL-stimulated THP-1 macrophages (P<0.05) and significantly decreased the Dil-oxLDL-binding capacity of the macrophages (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin as an effective anti-atherosclerosis agent can suppress the activation of PPARγ and p-iκB to reduce lipid accumulation in macrophages.