KTO-7924, a Beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist, reduces hyperglycemia, and protects beta-cells in the islets of langerhans of db/db mice.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of beta3-adrenergic receptor agonists on beta cells in the islets of Langerhans is not yet clear. This study examined the beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist on beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. METHODS: Obese diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were treated with KTO-7924, a newly-developed beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist for 28-day. We analyzed plasma parameters, insulin resistance, and insulin-positive areas among beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After a 28-day oral administration period, plasma levels of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, glucose, triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) were all significantly reduced in KTO-7924 treatment groups compared with controls. Plasma adiponectin levels decreased with age in the control group, but were significantly higher in a treatment group throughout the study period. Furthermore, sequential administration of KTO-7924 led to an improvement in insulin resistance in the OGTT (Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)), and an increase in the percentage of insulin-positive areas among beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans compared with controls. This is the first study to show islet histology after treatment of a beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist, and reveals that KTO-7924 reduces hyperglycemia, and protects beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans of db/db mice.

Physiological difference between obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and lean Zucker rats concerning adiponectin.

Obese (fa/fa) Zucker rat is a spontaneous genetic obesity model and, by comparison with lean Zucker rat, exhibits hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study was to examine the physiological difference concerning adiponectin between obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and control lean Zucker rats. We therefore measured plasma adiponectin level and analyzed adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 mRNA expression in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RT WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), liver, and soleus muscle. We also examined the tissue mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha), PPAR delta, and PPAR gamma, which regulate adiponectin expression sensitivity to a PPAR gamma agonist shown by brown adipocytes from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and lean Zucker rats, by measuring adiponectin release from these cells. Plasma adiponectin levels of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were significantly higher than those of lean Zucker rats. Adiponectin mRNA expression levels in RT WAT were lower in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats than in lean Zucker rats, but those in BAT were higher. Adiponectin receptor 1 expression levels in RT WAT, BAT, and liver of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were lower than in lean Zucker rats. The expression level of PPAR alpha, PPAR delta, and PPAR gamma in BAT was lower in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats than in lean Zucker rats. Moreover, the PPAR gamma agonist increased adiponectin release only from the brown adipocytes isolated from lean Zucker rats. It is the conclusive difference between obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and lean Zucker rats that plasma adiponectin levels of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats are significantly higher than those of lean Zucker rats. Moreover, we clarified that mRNA expression level of adiponectin receptor 1 in RT WAT, BAT, and liver of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats is low despite high plasma adiponectin level, and low expression of PPARs in BAT leads to less sensibility of adiponectin release from brown adipocytes to a PPAR gamma agonist in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats.

DNA microarray analysis of white adipose tissue from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats treated with a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, KTO-7924.

We aimed to examine the effects of KTO-7924 (beta3-adrenoceptor agonist) on lipid metabolism and mRNA expressions in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RP WAT) in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats using DNA microarray. Oral KTO-7924 for 28 days significantly decreased RP WAT weight, plasma triglyceride, free fatty acid, and insulin, and improved insulin resistance in oral glucose tolerance tests. In RP WAT of KTO-7924-treated rats, DNA microarray analysis revealed specifically enhanced mRNA expressions of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIII-H (COX8H), which are reportedly highly expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Since these mRNA expression levels in RP WAT were significantly lower in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats than in lean Zucker rats, these genes may be important in lipid metabolism. Our results imply that in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, continuous stimulation of beta3-adrenoceptors by KTO-7924 causes BAT-like adipocytes to appear in RP WAT, and improves lipid metabolism.

Adiponectin receptor 2 expression in liver and insulin resistance in db/db mice given a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist.

Our aim was to determine the effect of a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist on plasma adiponectin levels and on the level of expression of mRNA for adiponectin, adiponectin receptor 1, and adiponectin receptor 2 in db/db mice. Two weeks' oral administration of CL-316,243 led to decreased plasma levels of hemoglobin A1c, glucose, insulin, triglyceride and free fatty acid, and to an increased plasma adiponectin levels. It also improved insulin resistance in the oral glucose tolerance test. Adiponectin mRNA expression was significantly higher in the CL-316,243-treatment group than in the control group in epididymal white adipose tissue but not in brown adipose tissue, soleus muscle or liver. Adiponectin receptor 2 mRNA expression was significantly lower only in the liver of the CL-316,243-treatment group (versus the control group). These results suggest that the increased plasma adiponectin levels seen in db/db mice treated with this beta3-adrenoceptor agonist induce a down-regulation of adiponectin receptor 2 mRNA expression specifically in the liver.

Different inhibitory effects in the early and late phase of treatment with KAT-681, a liver-selective thyromimetic, on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy after diethylnitrosamine initiation.

We recently reported that short-term treatment with KAT-681 (KAT), a liver-selective thyromimetic, inhibits the development of preneoplastic lesions in rat livers and may be a candidate chemopreventive agent for hepatocarcinogenesis. In this study, time-course observations of hepatocellular proliferative lesions were carried out during short-term and long-term treatment with KAT to investigate its anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects. The hepatocellular proliferative lesions in male F344 rats were induced by the initiation treatment of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), followed by treatment with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH). The rats were administered KAT orally at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks (experiment 1) or 0.1 mg/kg/day for 20 weeks (experiment 2). In experiment 1, a serial reduction in the number of altered hepatocellular foci (AHF) with positive expression of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) was observed until day 14 of the treatment period. The proliferative index (PI) of hepatocytes in the AHF significantly increased in the KAT group throughout the treatment period, with a peak on day 2. KAT treatment showed no obvious effects on GST-P-positive hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) at any time point. In contrast, long-term KAT treatment in experiment 2 revealed a reduction in the mean size of HCAs in addition to reductions in the number and mean size of AHF. The PIs within the lesions in KAT-treated rats were significantly lower than those in controls. The present study indicates that KAT has different inhibitory effects on hepatocarcinogenesis in the early and late phases of KAT treatment; there is a reduction in AHF with enhanced cell proliferation in the early phase and the inhibition of development of AHF and HCAs with suppression of cell proliferation in the late phase. These results may suggest further potential of KAT as a promising chemopreventive agent for hepatocarcinogenesis.

Inhibitory effects of KAT-681, a liver-selective thyromimetic, on development of hepatocellular proliferative lesions in rats induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy after diethylnitrosamine initiation.

To examine the potential inhibitory effects of a novel liver-selective thyromimetic, KAT-681 (KAT), on the development of hepatocellular proliferative lesions, male F344 rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg diethylnitrosamine (DEN), followed by gavage administration of 7.5 mg/kg per day of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) twice daily from weeks 2 to 4 with partial hepatectomy (PH) at week 3. From 5 weeks after the completion of 2-AAF administration, the rats were orally dosed with 0.04, 0.1, or 0.25 mg/kg per day KAT for 3 weeks, and subjected to morphometric analysis of the induced glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive lesions and hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs). Administration of KAT significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total area of GST-P-positive lesions (by 34-48%) and also their numbers (by 20-44%), their mean size not being significantly changed. No effects on the number of HCAs were apparent, although a reduction in their mean size was detected at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg per day KAT (by 34%). On biochemical analysis, serum activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, an enzyme related to hepatocarcinogenesis, was markedly reduced in rats given 0.25 mg/kg per day KAT (by 64%). The results of the present study thus suggest that KAT inhibits the development of altered hepatocellular foci and might be a promising chemopreventive agent for hepatocarcinogenesis.

Pharmacological profile of KUL-7211, a selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, in isolated ureteral smooth muscle.

Since, in the human ureter, both beta(2)- and beta(3)-adrenoceptors mediate adrenergic-stimulation-induced relaxation, selective beta(2)-/beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists might prove clinically useful for relieving ureteral colic and promoting stone passage. We evaluated the beta-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity and ureteral-relaxing efficacy of (-)-2-[4-(2-[[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amin] ethyl)phenyloxy]acetic acid (KUL-7211), a new beta-adrenoceptor agonist, in vitro. In rat isolated organs, its selectivities, for inhibition of spontaneous uterine contraction (mediated via beta(2)-adrenergic stimulation) and inhibition of colonic contraction (via beta(3)-adrenergic stimulation) versus increase in atrial rate (via beta(1)-adrenergic stimulation), were 56.3 and 242.2, respectively. KUL-7211 relaxed 80-mM-KCl-induced tonic contractions in both rabbit (pD(2) value: 5.86 +/- 0.13, whose ureteral relaxation is mediated via beta(2)-adrenergic stimulation) and canine (pD(2) value: 6.52 +/- 0.16, via beta(3)-adrenergic stimulation) isolated ureters in a concentration-dependent manner. These KUL-7211-induced relaxing effects were antagonized by ICI-118,551 (selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, pK(B) value: 8.91 +/- 0.24) in the rabbit ureter and by bupranolol (non-selective beta-adernoceptor antagonist, pK(B) value: 6.85 +/- 0.12) in the canine ureter. KUL-7211 also reduced the spontaneous rhythmic contraction in a canine ureteral spiral preparation in a concentration-dependent manner, the pD(2) value being 6.83 +/- 0.20. These data clearly demonstrate that KUL-7211 selectively stimulates both ureteral beta(2)- and beta(3)-adrenoceptors and potently relaxes ureteral smooth muscle. KUL-7211 may be a novel and useful medication for relieving ureteral colic and promoting stone passage in urolithiasis patients.

Functional characterization of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in the canine and rat lower urinary tract.

PURPOSE: We compared the effect of a beta 3-adrenoceptor (AR) agonist with that of beta 1 and beta 2-AR agonists on the urethra and bladder in the dog and rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an in vitro experiment we studied the relaxant effect of subtype selective beta-AR agonists in canine and rat urethral and bladder smooth muscle using an organ bath method. In addition, in urethane anesthetized rats we measured urethral pressure and bladder pressure simultaneously in the presence of the beta 3-agonist CL316243 and the beta 2-agonist procaterol in 4 or 5 animals. RESULTS: In the dog the relaxing effects of isoprenaline in the distal urethra were about half those seen in the detrusor and trigone. The rank order of relaxing potency was CL316243 > dobutamine (beta 1-agonist) = procaterol in detrusor and trigone but procaterol > dobutamine = CL316243 in the prostatic and distal urethra. In rat urethral smooth muscle in vitro the corresponding order was procaterol > CL316243 > dobutamine and the maximal relaxation to each agonist was about half that seen in the bladder. In the anesthetized rat procaterol clearly decreased urethral pressure but CL316243 produced only a slight decrease at its maximal dose, although each agonists clearly reduced bladder pressure. The beta 2-antagonist ICI-118551 counteracted the decrease in urethral and bladder pressure induced by procaterol. CONCLUSIONS: In rats and dogs a selective beta 3-AR agonist can decrease bladder pressure without affecting urethral pressure.

Comparison between CL-316243- and CGP-12177A-induced relaxations in isolated canine ureter.

We compared the effects of CL-316243, a selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist, and CGP-12177A, a nonconventional partial beta-adrenoceptor agonist, on the KCl-induced contraction in the isolated canine ureter. CL-316243 concentration dependently relaxed the ureteral contraction, the pD(2) value being 7.75 +/- 0.11. This relaxation was competitively antagonized by the selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonist SR58894A and by the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist bupranolol, their pA(2) values being 7.08 +/- 0.08 and 6.43 +/- 0.09, respectively. CGP-12177A concentration dependently reduced the KCl-induced contraction, the pD(2) value being 6.30 +/- 0.25. Even at 1 x 10(-5) mol/l, CGP-20712A (a selective beta(1)- adrenoceptor antagonist) did not shift the concentration-response curves for CL-316243 or CGP-12177A. SR58894A did not induce a parallel rightward shift in the concentration-response curve for CGP-12177A, but bupranolol did produce such a shift, pA(2) and slope values in the Schild plot being 7.15 +/- 0.77 and 0.60 +/- 0.15, respectively. Hence, the competition characteristics for SR58894A and bupranolol differed between the CL- 316243-induced and CGP-12177A-induced relaxations. Our results suggest that CGP-12177A produces ureteral relaxation in the dog via an atypical beta-adrenoceptor (possibly, an atypical site/state of the beta(3)-adrenoceptor) as well as via the typical beta(3)-adrenoceptor.

Relationship between stereochemistry and the beta3-adrenoceptor agonistic activity of 4'-hydroxynorephedrine derivative as an agent for treatment of frequent urination and urinary incontinence.

This report proposes a beta(3)-adrenoceptor (AR) selective agonist, 2-[2-chloro-4-(2-([(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino)ethyl)phenoxy]acetic acid (1a), as a novel agent for treating urinary bladder dysfunction. This compound and its relatives have a unique feature among beta(3)-AR agonists: two chiral carbons are adjacently structured on the left side of the molecule. To study the relationship between the stereoconfiguration of the vicinal chiral carbons in 1a and beta-AR agonistic activity, the four stereoisomers were synthesized via oxazolidinone prepared by intracyclization involving inversion of the beta-hydroxy group. The in vitro assays using rat atria for beta(1)-AR, rat uteri for beta(2)-AR, and ferret detrusor for beta(3)-AR showed that 1a possessed potent beta(3)-AR agonistic activity (EC(50) = 3.85 nM) and 3700- and 1700-fold selectivity for beta(3)-AR relative to beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR, respectively. Comparison of the four isomers revealed that the (alphaS,betaR)-compound (1a) was not only the most potent agonist but was also the most selective for beta(3)-AR. In the anesthetized rat, intravenous administration of 1a brought about a sufficient decrement of the intrabladder pressure (ED(50) = 12 microg/kg), and intraduodenal administration of 2a, which is the ethyl ester of 1a, led to same result (ED(50) = 0.65 mg/kg). Moreover, no effects on the cardiovascular system were observed in either test.

Effects of beta(3)-adrenoceptor stimulation on prostaglandin E(2)-induced bladder hyperactivity and on the cardiovascular system in conscious rats.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of selective beta(2)- and selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor (AR) agonists on prostaglandin (PG) E(2)-induced bladder hyperactivity in conscious free-moving rats. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized for implantation of bladder, intravenous, and intra-arterial catheters. The effects of a beta(3)-AR agonist (CL316,243) on cystometric and cardiovascular parameters were assessed in conscious rats. Intravesical instillation of PGE(2) (20-60 microM, 6 mL/hr) in conscious rats produced a concentration-dependent increase in voiding frequency. RESULTS: In this model i.v. CL316,243 (beta(3)-AR agonist) reduced basal bladder pressure, increased micturition volume, and prolonged micturition interval in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting threshold pressure or micturition pressure. On the other hand, i.v. procaterol (beta(2)-AR agonist) did not counteract the bladder hyperactivity. Atropine (muscarinic antagonist) reduced micturition pressure and micturition volume, and shortened micturition interval. CL316,243 slightly decreased mean blood pressure and increased heart rate only when given at high doses (10 and 100 microg/kg, i.v.). In contrast, procaterol caused a significant decrease in mean blood pressure and a significant increase in heart rate. Atropine significantly increased heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: The present results clearly demonstrated that the beta(3)-AR agonist prolonged the micturition interval without producing significant cardiovascular side effects. The human detrusor, like the rat detrusor, relaxes on beta(3)-AR stimulation. Provided that these results are valid in humans, selective beta(3)-AR agonists might be clinically useful for controlling a certain type of bladder overactivity.

KUR-1246, a novel beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, as a tocolytic agent.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of KUR-1246 on oxytocin-induced uterine contractions, the cardiovascular system, and general metabolism of pregnant sheep and their fetuses. METHODS: At 123-125 days' gestation, ewes (n = 8) were infused with oxytocin (1.0 mU/kg/minute) to induce uterine contractions. One hour later, KUR-1246 was infused for 3 consecutive hours beginning at a dose of 0.001 microg/kg/minute for 30 minutes and increasing stepwise every 30 minutes to 0.3 microg/kg/minute in the KUR-1246 group (n = 4). The control received saline instead (n = 4). Statistical comparisons of changes with time in the physiologic parameters between the two groups were carried out (analysis of variance). RESULTS: KUR-1246 suppressed oxytocin-induced uterine contractions more than 90% at doses over 0.03 microg/kg/minute. Significant differences between the two groups were found at high doses over 0.03 microg/kg/minute for the following parameters: maternal heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, base excess, blood K(+), blood lactate, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels, and fetal plasma glucose and plasma insulin levels. CONCLUSION: KUR-1246 significantly inhibited oxytocin-induced uterine contractions at doses over 0.03 microg/kg/minute and showed reduced cardiovascular and metabolic side effects compared with ritodrine hydrochloride studied earlier in pregnant sheep.

Diversity of inhibitory responses to beta2-stimulants shown by term-pregnant human myometria in vitro is partly due to differences in receptor density.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the usefulness of the new beta2-adrenergic stimulant KUR-1246 as a tocolytic agent and (2) to clarify the mechanisms that underlie the diverse inhibitory effects of beta2-stimulants that are seen in human myometria in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: The displacement of tritiated ([3H]) (-)CGP 12177 (0.4 nmol/L) by KUR-1246 and other beta2-stimulants was examined with human beta(1)- and beta2-receptors present on membrane fractions. The inhibitory effects of these beta2-stimulants on the term-pregnant human myometrium were compared with the use of isometric tension recording and microelectrode methods. Finally, the relationship between [3H]dihydroaloprenolol binding and the magnitude of the tocolytic effect of isoproterenol was examined. RESULTS: KUR-1246 was approximately 80 times and 7 times more selective for beta2-receptors than isoproterenol and ritodrine, respectively. The inhibitory effect of KUR-1246 was as strong as the inhibitory effect of the conventional beta2-adrenergic stimulants. A wide range of inhibitory effects was observed, even when high concentrations of isoproterenol or KUR-1246 were applied. There was a correlation between the degree to which isoproterenol suppressed contractions and the number of [3H]dihydroaloprenolol binding sites on the membrane in each muscle strip. CONCLUSION: KUR-1246 should be a very useful beta2-adrenergic stimulant for use as a tocolytic agent because of its high selectivity for the beta2-receptor and its potent inhibitory effect. The diversity of the inhibitory effects that are induced by beta2-stimulants is at least partly due to differences in beta2-receptor density among term-pregnant human myometria.

Modification of ureteral motility and promotion of urine flow around an intraureteral obstruction by CL-316243, phenylephrine, and furosemide in dogs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a beta3-adrenoceptor (AR) agonist (CL-316243), an alpha1-AR agonist (phenylephrine), and a loop diuretic (furosemide) on the spontaneous rhythmic contractions of the isolated canine ureter and on an acute ureteral obstruction produced by inflation of a balloon catheter in anesthetized dogs. In the isolated ureter, CL-316243 concentration dependently reduced both the amplitude and frequency of the rhythmic contractions (pD(2): 7.19 +/- 0.33), whereas phenylephrine significantly enhanced both variables (pD(2): 5.26 +/- 0.09) and furosemide reduced them only slightly. In the acute ureteral obstruction model, the intraureteral pressure (IUP) gradually rose to reach a plateau of 58.9 mm Hg after inflation of a balloon catheter within the lower ureter. Intravenous administration of CL-316243 (0.3 microg/kg) significantly reduced the elevated IUP and the resumed urine flow (UF), leading to a sustained reduction in the IUP. In contrast, the IUP continued to increase above the plateau level for 10 minutes after phenylephrine administration (10 microg/kg) and for 30 minutes after furosemide administration (1,000 microg/kg). In the phenylephrine group, the UF resumed when the IUP reached 75.8 mm Hg, and thereafter the IUP gradually decreased in parallel with the increase in the UF. From these results, we conclude that in dogs, CL-316243 reduces the IUP by allowing the UF to resume as a result of a relaxation of ureter at the obstruction site, whereas with phenylephrine, the reduction in the IUP is secondary to a resumption in the UF resulting from an induced contraction of ureter that causes an increase in hydrostatic pressure above the obstruction site.

Characterization of beta-adrenoceptor subtype in bladder smooth muscle in cynomolgus monkey.

We first investigated the relaxations of the urinary bladder induced by beta-adrenoceptor agonists in anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys and then employed a variety of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists in vitro to identify the beta-adrenoceptor subtype responsible for the relaxation (using isolated monkey detrusors). Isoprenaline reduced bladder pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Isoprenaline, noradrenaline and adrenaline each produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated detrusor strips, the rank order of relaxing potencies being isoprenaline > noradrenaline > adrenaline. Subtype-selective beta-adrenoceptor agonists also relaxed isolated detrusor strips, the rank order of potencies being CGP-12177 > BRL 37344 > dobutamine, salbutamol, procaterol > xamoterol. In the antagonist experiment, bupranolol (beta-antagonist, 10(-6) to 10(-5) M) and SR 58894A (beta3-antagonist, 10(-7) to 10(-5) M) caused a rightward shift of the concentration-relaxation curve for isoprenaline, but CGP-20712A (beta1-antagonist, 10(-9) to 10(-7) M) and ICI-118551 (beta2-antagonist, 10(-9) to 10(-7) M) did not. The present functional study provides the first evidence that relaxation of the monkey detrusor by beta-adrenoceptor activation is mediated via the beta3-subtype.

Fibrate and statin synergistically increase the transcriptional activities of PPARalpha/RXRalpha and decrease the transactivation of NFkappaB.

In this study, we used a coactivator-dependent receptor-ligand interaction assay (CARLA), which is a semifunctional in vitro assay, to determine whether hypolipidemic drugs are ligands for the three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isotypes (PPARalpha, delta, and gamma). We also evaluated the transcriptional activities of the three PPAR isotypes by transient transfection assays. We found that bezafibrate was a ligand for PPARalpha, delta, and gamma in the CARLA and that bezafibrate induced transcriptional activation of PPARalpha/RXRalpha, PPARdelta/RXRalpha, and PPARgamma/RXRalpha. Although the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors cerivastatin, fluvastatin, and pitavastatin were not ligands for these three nuclear receptors in the CARLA, they induced transcriptional activation of PPARalpha/RXRalpha, PPARdelta/RXRalpha, and PPARgamma2/RXRalpha. Moreover, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, and pitavastatin synergistically and dose-dependently increased the transcriptional activation of PPARalpha/RXRalpha induced by bezafibrate. In addition, the cerivastatin-induced transcriptional activation of PPARalpha/RXRalpha was decreased by addition of mevalonate, farnesol, geranylgeraniol, or cholesterol and by co-transfection with sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1). Moreover, concomitant administration of statins and fibrates also decreased the transactivation of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) and the activation of NFkappaB by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MEKK) also decreased the transactivation of PPARalpha/RXRalpha.