Therefore, we examined the effects of teneligliptin on ox-LDL uptake, CD36 and ACAT-1 gene expression in AGE-exposed mouse peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells, a human macrophage cell line because (1) we have previously shown that DPP-4 inhibitors could block the harmful effects of AGE in cultured endothelial cells and renal proximal tubular cells [24,40] and (2) AGE play a central role in atherosclerosis in diabetes [18]. Here, ACAT1 is linked to diabetes mellitus.