Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-α Agonist Slows the Progression of Hypertension, Attenuates Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels and Renal Inflammatory Markers in Angiotensin II Infused Mice

The anti-inflammatory properties of PPAR-αplays an important role in attenuating hypertension. The current study determines the anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory role of PPAR-αagonist during a slow-pressor dose of Ang II (400 ng/kg/min). Ten to twelve week old male PPAR-αKO mice and their WT controls were implanted with telemetry devices and infused with Ang II for 12 days. On day 12 of Ang II infusion, MAP was elevated in PPAR-αKO mice compared to WT (161±4 mmHg versus145±4 mmHg) and fenofibrate (145 mg/kg/day) reduced MAP in WT + Ang II mice (134±7 mmHg). Plasma IL-6 levels were higher in PPAR-αKO mice on day 12 of Ang II infusion (30±4versus8±2 pg/mL) and fenofibrate reduced plasma IL-6 in Ang II-treated WT mice (10±3 pg/mL). Fenofibrate increased renal expression of CYP4A, restored renal CYP2J expression, reduced the elevation in renal ICAM-1, MCP-1 and COX-2 in WT + Ang II mice. Our results demonstrate that activation of PPAR-αattenuates Ang II-induced hypertension through up-regulation of CYP4A and CYP2J and an attenuation of inflammatory markers such as plasma IL-6, renal MCP-1, renal expression of ICAM-1 and COX-2.