Ghrelin对THP-1细胞泡沫化过程中酰基辅酶A：胆固醇酰基转移酶1表达的影响

AIM: To investigate the effects of ghrelin on the expression of acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferases-1(ACAT-1) during the formation of foam cells. METHODS: The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was used in the study. The differentiation of THP-1 cells into macrophages was induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Macrophages were incubated with oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) to generate foam cells. Ghrelin of different concentrations were used during the formation of foam cells. The ACAT-1 protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR. The variance of cholesterol content was measured by zymochemistry via-fluorospectrophotometer. RESULTS: Ghrelin reduced the content of cholesterol ester in foam cells obviously.ACAT-1 protein and mRNA levels were also decreased. Ghrelin reduced ACAT-1 protein mass and mRNA level in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin might retard the formation of atherosclerosis via down-regulating the expression of ACAT-1.