The Effect of Fenofibrate Combined with Α-Lipoic Acid on Rats Fed with High Fat Diet

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Purpose: Fenofibrate is one of the most important drugs for the management of dyslipidemia and α-lipoic acid has a potent antioxidant effect. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of fenofibrate in combination with α-Lipoic acid on the prevention of hypertriglyceridemia and oxidative stress in high fat diet fed rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n= 8 in each group): normal control group (NC) to receive a standard chow and four high-fat diet-fed groups to receive a high-fat emulsion diet alone (HFD), in combination with 100 mg/kg fenofibrate (Fen), in combination with 60 mg/kg α-Lipoic acid group (Lip) and in combination with 50 mg/kg fenofibrate and 30 mg/kg α-lipoic acid (Fen+Lip). Hypertriglyceridemia and oxidative stress was induced by oral gavage of high-fat emulsion diet after six weeks. Rats were simultaneously treated with fenofibrate alone and in combination with α-lipoic acid. Results: Fenofibrate treatment without α-lipoic acid improved hypertriglyceridemia. It increased the plasma level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) without effect on hepatic content of Malondialdehyde (MDA). Fenofibrate in combination with α-lipoic acid also improved hypertriglyceridemia but did not increase the plasma level of ALT. It potently reduced hepatic content of triglyceride and MDA. Conclusion: Our results suggest that fenofibrate in combination with α-lipoic acid showed higher protect effect on hypertriglyceridemia and oxidative stress compared to the fenofibrate alone. Furthermore α-lipoic acid could reduce toxic or side effects of fenofibrate.