Abstract:Aim To investigate the effect of advanced glycation end product bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA)on macrophage matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and the effects of Simvastatin. Methods Mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated with AGE-BSA and Simvastain at different levels. MMP-9 activity was determined by Gelatin Zymography. Results AGE-BSA induced morphological changes of macrophage in vitro. After treatment with AGE-BSA (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L)for 48 hours, macrophage MMP-9 was significantly increased in contrast to the control, showing the dose-dependent effect (n=5, p<0.05). After treatment with 400 mg/L AGE-BSA for different duration, MMP-9 activity showed no significant difference at the time point of 12 hour (n=5, p<0.05), but MMP-9 activity was significantly increased in contrast to the control at the time point of 24, 36 and 48 hour, showing the time dependent effect (n=5, p<0.05). Simvastain decreased MMP-9 activity significantly. Conclusion AGE-BSA can activate macrophages in vitro and enhance MMP-9 activity, indicating its effect of atherogenesis and plaque rupture. Simvastatin can lower MMP-9 activity, showing statins' pleiotropic effects.