Aim In order to elucidate the role of oxidized low density lipoproteins (OLDL), we have examined the metabolism of OLDL in macrophages and the effect of OLDL on the total cholesterol content in macrophages.Methods The metabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and OLDL in macrophages was assessed with the radio-receptor assays.Results Human macrophage metabolized LDL by a receptor pathway with 390. 6 μg/g cell protein of the Bun and 17. 5 mg/L of kd. The receptor Pathway exhibited satuative kinelies. The metabolism of OLDL was different from LDL. The binding internalization and degradation of OLDL by macrophages increased significantly as compared with the LDL. The total cholesterol content in macrophages incubated with OLDL was also higher than that of cells incubated with native LDL.Conclusion OLDL was metabolized by macrophages with different pathway from LDL and may lead to the formation of foams.