Effect of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin on oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein, and its uptake in the macrophage-like cell line J774.

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.