Cetaben, a PPARα-independent peroxisome proliferator, is a non-fibrotic lipid-lowering drug that effectively reduces cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

The administration of 10 μM Cetaben for 24 hours induces severe micromorphological and ultrastructural changes in HepG2 and MH1C1 cells. After the administration of 10 μM Cetaben for 24 hours, cells were characterized by a striking heterogeneity of the peroxisomal population with the occurrence of dumbbell-shaped and cup-shaped peroxisomal profiles in MH1C1cells. After administration with 100 μM cetaben, cells contained several Golgi regions, most of them disintegrated into vesicles[2].

Administration of 50-100 mg/kg Cetaben for over 10 days shows an obvious rise in the activities of peroxisomal enzymes in both the liver and kidney. However, the maximal effect is observed at 250 mg/kg[1].