Acetylated low density lipoproteins promote the release and metabolism of arachidonic acid by murine macrophages

It has been postulated that the ratio of prostacyclin/thromboxane A2 in the blood is an important marker for atherosclerosis. We studied the role of the Acetylated Low Density Lipoprotein (Acetyl-LDL) on the arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages, the progenitor of the foam-cells in atheroma. When stimulated by Acetyl-LDL, macrophage released and metabolized arachidonic acid. This effect was time- and dose-dependent. Only 50% of the Acetyl-LDL-induced arachidonic acid released was metabolized while more than 90% of zymosan or A23187 induced arachidonic acid released was metabolized. Furthermore, when the macrophages were stimulated by Acetyl-LDL, a decrease of prostaglandin E2 and an increase of the levels of prostacyclin and thromboxane were noted. The implications of these observations in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are discussed.