Fenofibrate increases homocystinemia through a PPARalpha-mediated mechanism.
Plasma homocysteine levels increase in humans treated with fibrates but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. The goal of the present study was to determine the mechanism of this increase using animal models. Firstly, an increase in homocysteine was observed in mice treated with fenofibrate irrespective of the genetic background C57BL/6 or SV129. Secondly, as the effect of fenofibrate on gene expression is mediated through activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor family, it was determined whether the effect of fenofibrate on homocysteine levels were modulated through PPARalpha activation. Using PPARalpha-deficient mice, it was shown that the homocysteine increase after fenofibrate treatment was completely abolished in these animals. It can be concluded that fibrates increase homocystinemia through a PPARalpha-mediated mechanism and that mice constitute an animal model for analyzing the molecular mechanisms behind the homocysteine increase after fibrate therapy in dyslipidemic patients.
Luc
Gérald
G
Department of Atherosclerosis, Institute Pasteur of Lille, France and Faculté de Pharmacie, University Lille II, France. Gerald.Luc@pasteur-lille.fr
Jacob
Nelly
N
Bouly
Muriel
M
Fruchart
Jean-Charles
JC
Staels
Bart
B
Giral
Philippe
P
D000818:Animals; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000172:deficiency / Q000187:drug effects*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000187:drug effects*
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors; D006710:Homocysteine; D011345:Fenofibrate