Fig. 1.

LPDS treatment results in rapid decrease of cholesterol levels in HepG2 2.2.15 cells. Cells were grown for 24 h (A and C) or the times indicated (B) in complete medium supplemented with 10% FBS (considered untreated), 10% LPDS, or a mixture of the two. Where indicated, Lova or Cpz was added as a control. The level of total cellular cholesterol was measured by spectrofluorimetry, and results were normalized to total protein levels within the same samples. Data represent the means and standard deviations (SD) of triplicates from two independent experiments and are presented as percentages of the values for untreated samples. Statistical analysis showing P values was performed using Student's unpaired t test (A and B). Free cholesterol was visualized by fluorescence microscopy, following incubation with filipin, using a Nikon E600 microscope (C).