The influence of enrichment with cholesterol on the phagocytic activity of rat macrophages.
Prolonged treatment of rats with a cholesterol-rich diet induced hypercholesterolaemia and increased free cholesterol content of peritoneal macrophages. A 2-2 times increase in plasma membrane cholesterol was demonstrated in cholesterol-enriched macrophages. These cells showed a significant inhibition of phagocytosis. The inhibition was 37-0% and 81-7% for latex particles or lipid droplets, respectively.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D002784:Cholesterol