Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a member of the steroid/nuclear
receptor superfamily and mediates the biological and toxicological effects of peroxisome
proliferators. To determine the physiological role of PPARα in fatty acid metabolism, levels of
peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolizing enzymes were determined in the
PPARα null mouse. Constitutive liver β-oxidation of the long chain fatty acid, palmitic acid,
was lower in the PPARα null mice as compared with wild type mice, indicating defective …