Objective    To investigate the effects of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) on the expression of acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT-1) in cultured THP-1 macrophages.      Methods    THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophages after cultured in RPMI1640 media containing 0.1 μmol/L PMA for 72 h. THP-1 macrophages were then exposed to AGE-modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA

at concentration of 50

100

200 mg/L) for 24 h or to 200 mg/L AGE-BSA for 0

12

24

36 h. Expression of ACAT-1 mRNA and protein in THP-1 macrophages was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot

respectively.      Results    After induced by 0.1 μmol/L PMA

THP-1 cells stopped proliferation and differentiated into macrophages. Treatment of THP-1 macrophages with AGE-BSA resulted in an increase in the mRNA and protein levels for ACAT-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner.     Conclusion    AGEs upregulate the expression levels of mRNA and protein for ACAT-1 in cultured THP-1 macrophages

which might be partly involved in the atherogenesis in diabetic patients.