Time-dependence and differential induction of rat and guinea pig peroxisomal beta-oxidation, palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase, cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolase after treatment with hypolipidemic drugs.

Fischer-344 rats and Hartley guinea pigs received a diet containing 0.01% (w/w), 0.05% (w/w), or 0.25% (w/w) of the hypolipidemic drug fenofibrate. Rats were treated for 4, 7, 14, or 21 days, and a clear dose-dependent and weak time-dependent increase in liver/body weight ratio was observed. The specific activity of peroxisomal beta-oxidation increased linearly with time at all concentrations used. A dose-dependent increase in cEH was observed, but the activity remained constant after treatment for 7 days. Enhancement of palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase was dose-dependent, but was similar at all 4 time points investigated. In contrast to the other enzyme activities, mEH was not or only minimally (less than 1.5-fold) induced. In contrast to the rat, treatment of guinea pigs with fenofibrate for 1 week did not change liver weight or enzyme activities. Prolonged treatment of guinea pigs (4 weeks) with fenofibrate did not result in an increase in enzyme activities. This was also observed with clofibrate whereas tiadenol caused a slight increase in enzyme activities (1.5- to 2.6-fold). In contrast to the guinea pig each of the three hypolipidemic drugs led to an increase in enzyme activities in the rat liver after treatment for 1 week.