Fenofibrate: metabolism and species differences for peroxisome proliferation in cultured hepatocytes

The hypolipidemic agent fenofibrate, which is a peroxisome proliferator in some rodents in vivo, was studied in cultured hepatocytes for its metabolism and effects on enzymatic induction related to peroxisome proliferation so as to lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in peroxisome proliferation. [14C]-Fenofibrate was completely metabolized within 24 hr by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and the metabolic pattern corresponded to that found in vivo. The main products were fenofibric acid and its glucuronidated form. Carbonyl reduction of fenofibric acid also occurred. The metabolic pattern of [14C]fenofibric acid was nearly the same as that of fenofibrate. Fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, and its reduced metabolite all induced peroxisomal (cyanide-insensitive) palmitoyl-CoA oxidation activity (PCOA) in rat hepatocytes, whereas derivatives lacking the carboxyl group were nearly inactive. The known species differences with respect to sensitivity to peroxisome proliferators in vivo was mirrored in cultured cells because fenofibric acid did not induce peroxisomal PCOA in primary culture of guinea pig hepatocytes nor in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The mechanistic association between the induction of CYP4A1-catalyzed lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAH) activity and peroxisomal PCOA induction was investigated. Fenofibric acid concomitantly induced LAH activity and peroxisomal PCOA in rat hepatocytes. Specific inhibition of LAH activity (-52%) by 10-undecynoic acid partially prevented induction of peroxisomal PCOA (-32%). The putative role of dicarboxylic acids, the oxidation product of omega-hydroxymonocarboxylic acids, in PCOA induction was further substantiated by the observed induction of peroxisomal PCOA by 1-12-dodecanedioic acid. We conclude that (1) fenofibric acid is the possible proximate peroxisome proliferator of fenofibrate in rat hepatocytes, (2) cultured hepatocytes reflect in vivo sensitivity to fenofibrate with respect to peroxisome proliferation, and (3) there is some evidence that the catalytic activity of the CYP4A1 enzyme mediates, at least in part, peroxisomal PCOA induction.