Effects of ADMA on the expression of acyl-coenzyme A:Acylcholesterol transferase-1(ACAT-1) in cell differentiation from mononuclear/macrophage cells to foam cells

Objective To investigate the effects of Asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA) on the expression of acyl-coenzyme A:acylcholesterol transferase-1(ACAT-1) in cell differentiation from mononuclear/macrophage cells to foam cells.Methods 1) Cultured THP-1 monocyte cell was induced into macrophages by 160 nmol/L PMA for 48 h and then incubated with 80 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 h macrophages were induced to foam cells.2)After 20 μmol/L ADMA was incubated with THP-1 monocyte cells,macrophage cells and foam cells for 24 h,the cholesterolester content of foam cells was measured by enzyme assay.The expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and protein was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.Results 1)ADMA increased the cholesterolester content of foam cells.2)Compared with the monocyte cells,expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and protein in macrophage cells(P0.05) and foam cells(P0.01) obviously increased.The expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and proteinin foam cells increased without significant difference.3)Compared with the control group respectively treatment of monocyte cells,macrophage cells and foam cells with ADMA result in an increase in mRNA and protein levels for ACAT-1(P0.01).Conclusions ADMA may increase the cholesterol content of foam cells via upregulating the expression of ACAT-1 in the mRNA and protein.