AimTo explore the effect of arecoline (Are) on the formation of foam cells induced by the oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and analyze the possible mechanisms.MethodsRAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated by ox-LDL (50 mg/L) for 48 h to induce foam cells.Arecoline (10-6mol/L, 10-5mol/L and 10-4mol/L) was added for 48 h at the same time.The cellular lipid accumulation was examined by oi1 red staining.The cellular contents of total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography assays.Cholesterol efflux from macrophages was examined by ³H labed cholesterol.The expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.ResultsOil red-staining positive cells were found and macrophages were filled with lipid droplet in foam cells model group.Compared with the foam cells, arecoline (10-5 and 10-4 mol/L) significantly decreased the amount of oil red-staining positive cells and the contents of lipid droplet of foam cells.Compared with thecontrol macrophages group, the contents of TC, FC, cholesteryl ester (CE) and CE/TC ratio in model group were significantly increased in foam cells model group.Arecoline (10-5 and 10-4mol/L)decreased the contents of TC, FC, cholesteryl ester (CE) and CE/TC ratio, and increased significantly cholesterol efflux and expression of ABCA1 compared with foam cells model group.ConclusionArecoline inhibits the formation of foam cell induced by ox-LDL and up-regulates of expression ABCA1 in RAW 264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells.