AIMTo investigate the effect of different peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) activators on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in HepG-2 cell line and explore the effect of PPARs on PAL-1 gene expression.

METHODSStearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, fenofibrate, pioglitazone were used in the treatment of HepG-2 cell culture. The level of PAI-1 and PPARs mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the level of PAI-1 activity and PPARs protein was determined by colorimetric assay and western blotting respectively.

RESULTSThe mRNA and activity of PAI-1 significantly increased in the groups of oleic acid and linoleic acid compared with the control, but decreased in the group of fenofibrate. There were no significant changes in both groups of stearic acid and pioglitazone. The alterations in the level of PPARs mRNA and protein were not detected in all the treated groups compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptors activators play important roles in the PAI-1 gene expression and regulation. It is likely mediated by the activation of PPARalpha, but there might be other mechanisms.