Fibrates Suppress Fibrinogen Gene Expression In Rodents Via Activation Of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha.

Plasma fibrinogen levels have been identified as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Among the few compounds known to lower circulating fibrinogen levels in humans are certain fibrates. We have studied the regulation of fibrinogen gene expression by fibrates in rodents. Treatment of adult male rats with fenofibrate (0.5% [wt/wt] in the diet) for 7 days decreased hepatic A alpha-, B beta-, and gamma-chain mRNA levels to 52% +/- 7%, 46% +/- 8%, and 81% +/- 19% of control values, respectively. In parallel, plasma fibrinogen concentrations were decreased to 63% +/- 7% of controls. The suppression of fibrinogen expression was dose-dependent and was already evident after 1 day at the highest dose of fenofibrate tested (0.5% [wt/wt]). Nuclear run-on experiments showed that the decrease in fibrinogen expression after fenofibrate occurred at the transcriptional level, as exemplified for the gene for the A alpha-chain. Other fibrates tested showed similar effects on fibrinogen expression and transcription. The effect of fibrates is specific for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) because a high-affinity ligand for PPAR gamma, the thiazolidinedione BRL 49653, lowered triglyceride levels, but was unable to suppress fibrinogen expression. Direct evidence for the involvement of PPAR alpha in the suppression of fibrinogen by fibrates was obtained using PPAR alpha-null (-/-) mice, Compared with (+/+) mice, plasma fibrinogen levels in (-/-) mice were significantly higher (3.20 +/- 0.48 v 2.67 +/- 0.42 g/L). Also, hepatic fibrinogen A alpha-chain mRNA levels were 25% +/- 11% higher in the (-/-) mice. On treatment with 0.2% (wt/wt) fenofibrate, a significant decrease in plasma fibrinogen to 77% +/- 10% of control levels and in hepatic fibrinogen A alpha-chain mRNA levels to 65% +/- 12% of control levels was seen in (+/+) mice, but not in (-/-) mice. These studies show that PPAR alpha regulates basal levels of plasma fibrinogen and establish that fibrate-suppressed expression of fibrinogen in rodents is mediated through PPAR alpha. (C) 1999 by The American Society of Hematology.