Abstract: Objective: To explore the effects of atorvastatin on the natural antisense transcription of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1-NAT) in the HepG₂ cells and its influence in the expressions of lipid metabolism related genes.Methods: The HepG₂ cells were intervened with different concentrations(0,1,10 and 100 nmol·L^-1) of atorvastatin, and the 0 nmol·L^-1 atorvastatin group was used as control group.The total RNA of HepG₂ cells in various groups were extracted at different time points(6,12,24, and 48 h). The mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes and apoA1-NAT expression levels were detected by Real-Time PCR method.Results: The morphology of HepG₂ cells in 1 and 10 nmol·L^-1 atorvastain groups was normal.Compared with 6 h, the expression levels of apoA1-NAT in the HepG₂ cells in 10 nmol·L^-1 atorvastatin group at 12, 24 and 48 h were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in a time-dependent manner. Under the same condition, the expression level of apoA1 mRNA in the HepG₂ cells at 48 h was increased significantly compared with 6 h (P<0.01).Compared with control group, the expression levels of low density lipoprotein receptor(LDLR) in the HepG₂ cells in 100 nmol·L^-1 atorvastatin group,scavenger receptor-class B type 1 (SRB1) in 10 nmol·L^-1 atorvastatin group and ATP binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1) in 1 and 10 nmol·L^-1 atorvastatin groups were increased(P<0.01) in different degrees.Conclusion: Atorvastatin can promote the expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes by inhibiting the expression of apoA1-NAT, and promote the process of reverse cholesterol transport.

Key words: atorvastatin, apolipoprotein A1, natural antisense transcription of apolipoprotein A1, lipid metabolism, HepG₂ cells