INHIBITORY EFFECT OF POLYSACCHARIDE KRESTIN ON FOAM CELL-FORMATION AND NECROSIS OF MURINE PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES CAUSED BY OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN

Oxidised low-density lipoprotein (O-LDL) not only results in inhibitio n of normal physiological function of macrophage, but also in signific ant morphological changes. In this paper, the inhibitory effect of pol ysaccharide krestin (PSK) on the foam cell formation and necrosis of m acrophages was observed. After incubation with 10, 50 and 100 mu g mL( -1) O-LDL for 24, 48, 72 h in vitro, the shape of PSK-treated macropha ges remained relatively normal. Moreover, in the PSK-treated group, th e number of surviving cells was greater as determined by 3- (4,5-dimet hylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetraolium bromide (MTT) colourimetric a nalysis at every time point. PSK can prevent the accumulation of lipop eroxides in macrophages and their conversion into foam cells, and can also elevate the surviving number of these macrophages. Therefore, PSK , as an antioxidant and immunopotentiator, may be used as a medicine f or the prophylaxis and therapy of atherosclerosis.