BEZAFIBRATE HAS AN ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT - PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR-ALPHA IS ASSOCIATED WITH CU2-DISMUTASE IN THE LIVER(, ZN2+ SUPEROXIDE)

Administraion of bezafibrate in rats significantly reduced the levels of plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in compariso n with those obtained in rats fed a soy or lard chow. Moreover, an ele vation of in vitro conjugated diene production and linoleic acid level s in the high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins induce d by a soy or lard chow, was reduced by bezafibrate administration. In addition, the liver Cu2+, Zn2+-superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene expres sion showed a significant positive correlation with the liver peroxiso me proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) mRNA level (R=0. 769, p < 0.0001). This unique characteristic of bezafibrate, which pos sesses both a hypolipidemic effect and antioxidant activity, may be be neficial in preventing vascular complications in hyperlipidemia.