Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 72, 375-379 (1996)


Effect of 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroneopterin on Oxidative Modification of Low-Density Lipoprotein, and Its Uptake in the Macrophage-Like Cell Line J774

Hiroyuki Iizuka, Yoko Watanabe and Shuji Kojima (*)

Research Institute for Biosciences, Science University of Tokyo, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278, Japan
(*) To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: Since oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and uptake of the oxidized LDL by macrophages are closely related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we examined the inhibitory effect of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin (NPH4) on Cu(II)-induced lipid peroxidation of LDL. NPH4 significantly inhibited both lipid peroxidation and the associated increase of electrophoretic mobility of ApoB protein. Furthermore, NPH4 suppressed the uptake of oxidized [14C]oleyl-esterified LDL by the macrophage-like cell line J774. NPH4 may be a candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other active oxygen-related diseases.

Keywords: 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroneopterin, Active oxygen, Antioxidant, Low-density lipoprotein, Macrophage

Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1996

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