4.7. LDL Uptake Assay

1 × 10⁵ HepG2 cells were cultured in 35 mm glass-bottom cell culture dish plates overnight [46]. Then, cells were starved in a serum-free medium containing 0.5% BSA for 6 h and incubated with R and Q for 8 h; thereafter, the medium was removed, and cells were covered with 10 ug/mL pHrodo red LDL for 3 h. Subsequently, the cells were washed twice, and the images were captured on a confocal microscope (Olympus FV1000 ix81, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan).