Different Effects of Simvastatin on the Expression of Lectin-like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 (LOX-1) Induced by Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (ox-LDL) or Glucose / 天津医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) or Glucose in U937 macrophages, and explore the role of NF-κB in modulating of LOX-1 expression. Methods U937 macrophages were treated with PMA to induce differentiation, which were co-cultured with 50 mg/L ox-LDL or/and 25 mmol/L glucose. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and simvastatin (1 μmol/L or 10 μmol/L) were used to treat cells. The expression of LOX-1 protein and NF-κB ac- tivity were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology. The expression of LOX-1 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. Results The expression of LOX-1 was up regulated by ox-LDL, glucose and combination of both. The inhibitor of NF-κB PDTC suppressed this up-regulation. Simvastatin suppressed the expression of LOX-1 induced by ox-LDL, and showed a significant effect in the higher concentration. There was no significant effect of simvastatin on the expression of LOX-1 induced by glucose. The variation of NF-κB activity was similar to that of LOX-1 expression. Conclusion Simvas- tatin suppressed the expression of LOX-1 induced by ox-LDL, while no significant effect on the expression of LOX-1 in- duced by glucose. The expression and regulation of LOX-1 were related with NF-κB pathway.