Objective   To investigate the effects of inflammatory stress on low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLr) expression in the liver of scavenger receptor A (SRA)/CD36 double knockout mice and its potential mechanisms.   Methods   Male SRA/CD36 double knockout mice with body weight from 18 grams to 23 grams and age from 1 month to 3 months were randomly divided into control group (n=7) and inflammation group (n=6).  All mice were fed with high lipid diet containing 15% fat and 1.25％ cholesterol

and 0.5% bile acid. Casein was injected subcutaneously in mice in the inflammation group to induce inflammatory stress. After 14 weeks

both mRNA and protein expressions of LDLr

sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) genes in the liver were examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry staining

respectively. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC)

triglyceride (TG)

LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured by biochemical techniques. Serum concentration of serum amyloid protein (SAA) was determined by ELISA. Frozen sections of liver were stained with Oil Red O to visualize the lipid accumulation.   Results   Under inflammatory stress

the expressions of LDLr

SCAP and SREBP2 genes increased significantly as compared with those in the control group (P0.05). Lipid accumulation in the liver also increased. Serum levels of TC and LDL-C

not TG and HDL-C were significantly lower (P0.05).    Conclusion   Inflammatory stress can up-regulate the expressions of SREBP2

SCAP and LDLr genes in the liver of SRA/CD36 double knockout mice. This may contribute to the lipid accumulation in the liver.