FIGURE 1.

A chalcone derivative, 1m‐6, significantly increases ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression and promotes cholesterol efflux in THP‐1 macrophages. (a) The chemical structure of the chalcone derivative 1m‐6. (b) Human THP‐1 macrophages were treated with the indicated doses of 1m‐6 or 1m for 24 h. Cell lysates were collected and analysed using western blot. Representative data and quantitative results expressed as the median with individual data of five independent experiments are shown. (c) Human THP‐1 macrophages were treated with various doses of 1m‐6 for 24 h. Cellular RNA was collected for quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis. Data are shown as the median with individual data of five independent experiments. (d) Total cholesterol efflux was evaluated in THP‐1 macrophages treated with 10‐μM 1m‐6 or DMSO for 24 h after 6 h of incubation with apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) or BSA. The results from five independent experiments are presented as the median with individual data. (e) THP‐1 macrophages were pretreated with the 1m‐6 or DMSO for 2 h and then stimulated with oxidized LDL (ox‐LDL) (50 μg·ml⁻¹) for 24 h. Lipids accumulation was determined using oil red O (ORO) staining. The ORO‐stained area was observed using light microscopy (400× magnification). Quantitative results were obtained by measuring the eluted ORO using a spectrophotometer. The results from five independent experiments are presented as the median with individual data. (f) Human THP‐1 macrophages were treated with various doses of 1m‐6 for 24 h and then incubated with 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) for a further 6 h. Cell viability was measured by detecting the absorbance of dissolved MTT crystals using an elisa reader. The results from five independent experiments are presented as the median with individual data. Conc. indicates concentration. V indicates the vehicle (DMSO) control. Significance is presented as ^* P < 0.05 versus the indicated group