Curcumin inhibits oxLDL-induced CD36 expression and foam cell formation through the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation

The uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) via scavenger receptors transforms macrophages into foam cells, which are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. OxLDL markedly increases the expression of the CD36 scavenger receptor. Here, we investigated whether curcumin modulate CD36 expression in oxLDL-treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Our results showed that curcumin dramatically inhibits CD36 expression and foam cell formation. Furthermore, oxLDL-induced expression and activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), which is involved in CD36 expression, is also blocked in curcumin-treated cells. OxLDL activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling transduction pathway, and p38 MAPK is associated with oxLDL-induced CD36 and PPAR-γ expression. Overexpression of dominant negative p38 MAPK blocks oxLDL-induced CD36 and PPAR-γ expression. Furthermore, curcumin markedly inhibits p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Taken together, our results suggest that curcumin modulates oxLDL-induced CD36 expression and foam cell formation via the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.