Palmitic acid enhances lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1) expression and promotes uptake of oxidized LDL in macrophage cells

These results suggest that elevated level of palmitic acid may contribute to development of atherosclerosis through enhanced uptake of oxLDL via upregulation of LOX-1 in macrophages. The effects of palmitic acid may be mediated by ROS-p38 pathway rather than TLRs.