Age-related decrease in expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and its effects on development...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gerontology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Aging is linked to increased dyslipidemia.
• Investigated molecular mechanisms of age-related lipid metabolism changes.
• Studied the impact of age and fibrate on PPARalpha expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of aging on liver PPARalpha expression and its target genes.
• To evaluate the impact of fenofibrate administration on lipid metabolism in aged rats.

Main Methods:

• Compared young (2-month-old) and old (24-month-old) rats.
• Administered fenofibrate to assess its therapeutic effects.
• Utilized RT-PCR and Western blotting to measure PPARalpha mRNA and protein levels.

Main Results:

• Old rats exhibited significantly reduced hepatic PPARalpha mRNA and protein expression.
• PPARalpha target genes showed decreased activity, and apoCIII increased in old rats.
• Fenofibrate lowered plasma lipids in old rats and improved gene expression, without altering PPARalpha levels.

Conclusions:

• Reduced hepatic PPARalpha expression correlates with lipid metabolic disturbances in aging.
• Fenofibrate shows potential for treating dyslipidemia in elderly individuals.
• Fibrates may be a viable therapeutic option for age-related lipid disorders.