Gemfibrozil, stretching arms beyond lipid lowering

Abstract

Gemfibrozil is long known for its ability to reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood circulation and to decrease the risk of hyperlipidemia. However, a number of recent studies reveal that apart from its lipid-lowering effects, gemfibrozil can also regulate many other signaling pathways responsible for inflammation, switching of T-helper cells, cell-to-cell contact, migration, and oxidative stress. In this review, we have made an honest attempt to analyze various biological activities of gemfibrozil and associated mechanisms that may help to consider this drug for different human disorders as primary or adjunct therapy.

Keywords::

• Gemfibrozil
• inflammation
• signal transduction
• human disorders

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NS39940 and NS48923) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (RG3422A1/1).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.