Hepatic expression of PPARalpha, a molecular target of fibrates, is regulated during inflammation in a gender-specific manner.

Dyslipidemia, inflammation and gender are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease. Here we show that hepatic expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), a nuclear receptor that regulates lipid metabolism and inflammation, is regulated in a gender-specific manner during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation. Immediately following LPS-induced systemic inflammation, hepatic PPARalpha mRNA level decreased dramatically in mice. It was restored to baseline within 24 h in females but remained below baseline for >72 h in male mice. In gonadectomized mice of both sexes, PPARalpha mRNA level was restored to baseline within 48 h after the initial decrease.