Atorvastatin enhances cellular uptake of oxidized LDL in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

BACKGROUND

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and CD36, a plausible pathway for the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake in monocytes, is highly expressed in adipocytes. Few studies have explored the cellular uptake of ox-LDL in adipocytes and its significance on atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Rabbits on high-cholesterol diets were randomly assigned to either 1.5 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (n = 5) or starch (n = 5) for 2 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected for adipocytes culture. The uptake of 125I-OxLDL in adipocytes was determined by a gamma-counter and each sample was normalized to protein concentration. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate PPARgamma and CD36 mRNA expressions.

RESULTS

Adipocytes took up 125I-OxLDL in a concentration-dependent manner. Two weeks of atorvastatin treatment enhanced the cellular uptake of 125I-OxLDL, which was closely related to the reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and increased mRNA expressions of PPARgamma and CD36 in adipocytes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Adipocytes may be a potential pool for plasma ox-LDL, and atorvastatin can improve the ox-LDL uptake in adipocytes possibly through reducing cholesterol concentration and upregulating mRNA expressions of PPARgamma and CD36.