Clofibrate PPARα Activation Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Ultrastructure and Ventricular Hemodynamics in No-flow Myocardial Ischemia

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) play a critical physiological role in energy homeostasis, in inflammation, and a protective role in cardiovascular function. We assessed the antioxidant effect of clofibrate-induced Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) stimulation on ischemic myocardium on myocardial morphology and hemodynamics. Male Wistar rats (300 g) were distributed into the following groups: (1) Sham, (2) myocardial ischemia vehicle treated (MI-V), and (3) myocardial ischemia clofibrate [100 mg/kg/ intraperitoneally) treated (MI-C). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation increased in MI-V, whereas clofibrate prevented this effect. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 and SOD-2 expression increased 4 times upon PPAR alpha stimulation. SOD-1, SOD-2, and catalase activity also increased in response to clofibrate. eNOS mRNA and tetrahydrobiopterin increased in the MI-C group. Clofibrate was able to decrease Angiotensin II (AngII), AngII AT(1)-receptor, whereas Ang-(1-7) and AngII AT(2)-receptor expression increased. Assessment of myocardial morphology and cardiac function show that clofibrate improved histological features and hemodynamic parameters. Our results suggest that PPAR alpha stimulation by clofibrate increases the antioxidant defense, leading to improved cardiac function.