Difference between Guinea Pig and Rat in the Liver Peroxisomal Response to Equivalent Plasmatic Level of Ciprofibrate

Abstract Guinea pig was previously classified as a species nonresponsive to peroxisome proliferators. However, none of the previous reports was based on pharmacokinetic data. Here, after a comparative pharmacokinetic study between guinea pig and rat, we evaluate the guinea pig liver peroxisomal response to ciprofibrate, a hypolipemic agent and a potent peroxisome proliferator in rat. (1) Pharmacokinetic results show that plasmatic concentrations of ciprofibrate are equivalent in guinea pig and rat when guinea pigs are treated with ciprofibrate at 30 mg/kg twice a day and rats are treated at 3 mg/kg once a day. (2) The treatment of guinea pigs at 30 mg/kg twice a day for 2 weeks leads to a s…