We analyzed in vivo effects of clofibrate and clofibric acid on vimentin and desmin content in rat myocardiocytes. Fifteen Sprague Dawley rats were divided in three groups of five animals each: clofibric acid, clofibrate, and untreated. After 30 days, the rats were sacrificed, the hearts excised, and the vimentin and desmin content was measured by Western blotting and densitometry. Clofibric acid treatment caused a 27.4% decrease in the amount of vimentin and a 49% decrease in desmin. With clofibrate, vimentin decreased 29.5%. and desmin decreased 48.7%. Moreover, we observed alterations in the cellular organization of the filaments of desmin and vimentin in all treated animals. Intermediate filaments are known to play a role in the anchoring and cellular organization of myocardiocytes. The adverse effects of clofibrate and clofibric acid on patients may be partially due to decreased desmin and vimentin levels.
