Objective      To investigate whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promoting vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to form foam cells is regulated by peroxisome proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ)-ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) pathway.       Methods      Primary VSMCs were isolated from male C57BL/6J mice

cultured with tissue explant technique

and identified by immunofluorescence staining. BODIPY staining was used to analyze the intracellular lipid deposition

and the total cholesterol deposition in the VSMCs was quantitatively detected by enzymatic colorimetric assay. the protein expression of PPARγ and ABCG1 in the VSMCs was analyzed by Western blotting.       Results      After oxLDL intervention in the VSMCs for 48 h

the lipid deposition was increased. PPARγ protein expression was decreased by about 53% (P0.01)

while ABCG1 protein expression was decreased by about 48% (P0.05). After rosiglitazone activated PPARγ

ABCG1 protein expression was increased by about 147% (P0.05)

and the lipid deposition was reduced in the VSMCs.       Conclusion      OxLDL promotes the formation of smooth muscle-derived foam cells through PPARγ-ABCG1 signal pathway.