Objective To verify the regulation of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT 2)

which is associated with cholesterol metabolism

by saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Methods Palmitic acid (PA)

the most abundant saturated fatty acid in plasma

and oleic acid (OA)

a widely distributed unsaturated fatty acid

were used to treat hepatic cells HepG2

HuH7

and mouse primary hepatocytes. In addition

PA at different concentrations and PA treatment at different durations were applied in HepG2 cells. In in vivo experiment

three-month male C57/BL6 mice were fed with control diet and SFA diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil rich of SFAs. The mRNA level of ACAT2 in those hepatic cells and the mouse livers was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In the three types of hepatic cells treated with PA

that SFA induced significant increase of ACAT2 expression (P＜0.01)

whereas treatment with OA showed no significant effect. That effect of PA was noticed gradually rising along with the increase of PA concentration and the extension of PA treatment duration (both P＜0.05). SFA diet feeding in mice resulted in a short-term and transient increase of ACAT2 expression in vivo

with a peak level appearing in the mice fed with SFA diet for two days (P＜0.05). Conclusion SFA may regulate ACAT2 expression in human and mouse hepatic cells and in mouse livers.