[Effect of curcumin on the gene expression of low density lipoprotein receptors].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the molecular mechanisms and effective target points of lipid-lowering drug, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, and study the effect of curcumin on the expression of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in macrophages in mice.


METHODS
Macrophages in mice were treated with curcumin, which was purified from the ethanolly extraction of Rhizoma Curcumae Longae for 24 h. The LDL receptors expressed in the macrophages were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assay of DiI labeled LDL uptake by flow cytometer.


RESULTS
It was found for the first time that 10 micromol/L-50 micromol/L curcumin could obviously up-regulate the expression of LDL receptor in macrophages in mice, and a dose-effect relationship was demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
One of the lipid-lowering mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, was completed by the effect of curcumin through the up-regulation of the expression of LDL receptor.
Fan
Chun-lei
CL
Faculty of Life Science, Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, China. snow@zjtcm.net
Qian
Ying
Y
Wo
Xing-de
XD
Yan
Jin
J
Gao
Li-ping
LP
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D003474:Curcumin