Which lipid-lowering drug activates PPAR-alpha to modulate lipid metabolism?

Which lipid-lowering drug activates PPAR-alpha to modulate lipid metabolism?

• A. Fibrates
• B. Nitrates
• C. Digoxin
• D. Ezetimibe

Answer: (A)

Activation of PPAR-alpha by a drug class modulates lipid metabolism. Fibrates act as PPAR-α agonists, a nuclear receptor that turns on genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipoprotein metabolism. When PPAR-α is activated, the liver ramps up fatty acid oxidation and increases lipoprotein lipase activity, which helps clear triglyceride-rich particles from the bloodstream and reduces VLDL production. The net effect is a strong decrease in triglycerides and a modest rise in HDL cholesterol, making fibrates especially useful for hypertriglyceridemia. By contrast, other options don’t engage this pathway: ezetimibe lowers LDL by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption, while nitrates and digoxin serve cardiovascular roles unrelated to lipid modulation. Therefore, the lipid-lowering drug that activates PPAR-alpha is the fibrate class.

Activation of PPAR-alpha by a drug class modulates lipid metabolism. Fibrates act as PPAR-α agonists, a nuclear receptor that turns on genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipoprotein metabolism. When PPAR-α is activated, the liver ramps up fatty acid oxidation and increases lipoprotein lipase activity, which helps clear triglyceride-rich particles from the bloodstream and reduces VLDL production. The net effect is a strong decrease in triglycerides and a modest rise in HDL cholesterol, making fibrates especially useful for hypertriglyceridemia. By contrast, other options don’t engage this pathway: ezetimibe lowers LDL by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption, while nitrates and digoxin serve cardiovascular roles unrelated to lipid modulation. Therefore, the lipid-lowering drug that activates PPAR-alpha is the fibrate class.