Abstract: [Abstract] 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 160nmol/L PMA for 48h and then incubated with 80mg/L ox-LDL for 24h macrophages were induced to foam cells. Transmission light microscope(using red oil O staining technique) was applied to appraise the morphology and change of foam cells．(2)After 20μmol/L ADMA was incubated with THP-1 monocyte cells，macrophage cells and foam cells for 24h, the cholesterolester content of foam cells was measured by enzyme assay. The expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and protein were measured by means of RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Results (1)ADMA could increase the cholesterolester content of foam cells.(2)Compared with the monocyte cells, expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and protein in macrophage cells(p<0.05) and foam cells(p<0.01) obviously increased. Compared with the macrophage cells, expression of ACAT-1 in mRNA and protein in 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(p<0.01). Conclusion ADMA might increase the cholesterol content of foam cells via upregulating the expression of ACAT-1 in the mRNA and protein.

Key words: Atherosclerosis, Asymmetric dimethylarginine, Acyl-coenzyme A:acylcholesterol transferase-1