PPARα is a master regulator of lipid metabolism in the liver, controlling the expression of genes involved in the transport, oxidation, and export of free fatty acids. Increased levels of FFA in the hepatocyte activate PPARα by direct binding to the receptor and thus inducing the expression of genes involved in the mitochondrial and peroxisomal FFA β-oxidation pathways. In addition to increasing fatty acids disposal through oxidative degradation, PPARα also inhibits the lipogenic pathway by induction of the malonyl Co-A decarboxylase, thus promoting the degradation of malonyl Co-A, a precursor of fatty acid biosynthesis [9].
