Profile of serum bile acids in noncholestatic volunteers: gender-related differences in response to fenofibrate

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Aug;90(2):279-86. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2011.124. Epub 2011 Jun 29.

Abstract

Fenofibrate belongs to the group of hypolipidemic fibrates that act as activators of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), which is a regulator of bile acid synthesis, metabolism, and transport. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of fenofibrate on the circulating bile acid profile in humans. A study population of 200 healthy individuals comprising both genders completed a 3-week intervention with fenofibrate, and 17 bile acid species were measured in serum samples drawn before and after fenofibrate treatment. Fenofibrate caused significant reductions in levels of chenodeoxycholic (CDCA) (-26.4%), ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) (-30.5%), lithocholic (LCA) (-18.4%), deoxycholic (DCA) (-22.3%), and hyodeoxycholic (HDCA) (-19.2%) acids. A gender-related difference was observed in the responses of various bile acids, and the total bile acid concentration was significantly reduced only in men (-18.6%), whereas it remained almost unchanged in women (+0.36%). This difference suggests that fenofibrate would be more efficient at reducing bile acid toxicity in men than in women in cholestatic liver diseases.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bile Acids and Salts / blood*
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fenofibrate / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • PPAR alpha / drug effects
  • PPAR alpha / metabolism
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • PPAR alpha
  • Fenofibrate