Bezafibrate-induced changes over time in the expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) mRNA in the tissues: a study in spontaneously type 2 diabetic rats with visceral obesity

J Atheroscler Thromb. 2004;11(4):224-31. doi: 10.5551/jat.11.224.

Abstract

The effect of short-term bezafibrate (BF) administration over time on the expression of UCP mRNA in the tissues was examined in Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Eight-week-old rats were divided into a high-dose (100 mg/kg) BF group (n = 15), a low-dose (10 mg/kg) BF group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15), and followed for 14 days. Feed intake by the high-dose BF group increased significantly between days 10 and 14 of administration. Triglyceride, free fatty acid, and T(4) levels decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in the high-dose BF group. Leptin and insulin levels significantly decreased on days 3 and 7. Throughout the study period, liver UCP2 mRNA increased in the high-dose BF group. On day 3 of BF administration, the levels of UCP2 mRNA expression in the skeletal muscles as well as UCP3 mRNA expression in the WAT were significantly increased in the high-dose BF group. PPAR-alpha mRNA significantly increased in the liver on day 3 of BF administration. We thus conclude that the PPAR-alpha-mediated effects of BF on the expression of liver UCP2 may be one of the factors that helped to decrease insulin levels.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bezafibrate / pharmacology*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Ion Channels
  • Leptin / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / drug effects
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / drug effects
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • PPAR alpha / drug effects
  • PPAR alpha / genetics
  • PPAR delta / drug effects
  • PPAR delta / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Thyroid Hormones / metabolism
  • Uncoupling Agents*
  • Uncoupling Protein 1
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Uncoupling Protein 3
  • Viscera / drug effects

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Fatty Acids
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Ion Channels
  • Leptin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • PPAR alpha
  • PPAR delta
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Ucp2 protein, rat
  • Ucp3 protein, rat
  • Uncoupling Agents
  • Uncoupling Protein 1
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Uncoupling Protein 3
  • Cholesterol
  • Bezafibrate