ABSTRACT
[Objective] To investigate the effects of the bioactive constituents of green tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) function of HepG2 cells.[Methods] The optimal concentration and cell proliferation of HepG2 cells were determined by CCK8 assay,and Western blotting was used to determine LDLR and PCSK9 protein levels,respectively,and LDL uptake in HepG2 cells was detected by fluorescence microscope.[Results] EGCG elevated LDLR protein expression,reduced PCSK9 protein expression and promoted LDL uptake in HepG2 cells.[Conclusion] EGCG may increase LDLR abundance by down-regulating PCSK9 protein and attenuating LDLR protein degradation,which providing a new approach for lipid lowering therapy.