Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation advances locomotor activity and feeding daily rhythms in mice

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are key mediators of energy homeostasis, and lipid and glucose metabolism that exhibit circadian expression. PPAR activating drugs are used clinically as lipid and glucose-lowering drugs. We evaluated the effect of long-term (11 weeks) PPARα and PPARγ activation using bezafibrate and rosiglitazone, respectively, on metabolism, locomotor activity and feeding rhythms of non-obese mice. We found that bezafibrate, but not rosiglitazone, led to no weight gain and a slight weight loss with reduced epididymal fat pads. Although rosiglitazone had a minor effect on 24-h food intake rhythm, bezafibrate treatment was accompanied by increased amplitude and an advanced acrophase of the 24-h feeding rhythm. Similarly, unlike rosiglitazone, bezafibrate treatment was accompanied by a significantly advanced acrophase of locomotor activity rhythm under constant darkness conditions. As disrupted circadian rhythms lead to obesity, PPARα activation can serve as a clinical target for the modulation of both circadian rhythms and metabolism.