Lipid drugs: fibrates: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Lipid drugs: fibrates

Sample item

A patient with severe hypertriglyceridaemia and recurrent pancreatitis is started on fenofibrate. Through which receptor does it act?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase activity and fatty acid oxidation

Fibrates activate PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase and lowering VLDL and triglycerides, while raising HDL modestly. Adverse effects include gallstones, myopathy (especially with statins) and potentiation of warfarin.

Option by option

  • A. PPAR-gamma

    PPAR-gamma is the target of glitazones.

  • B. NPC1L1

    NPC1L1 is the target of ezetimibe.

  • C. PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase activity and fatty acid oxidation (correct)

    Correct. PPAR-alpha is the fibrate target.

  • D. LDL receptor directly

    LDL receptors are not directly activated by fibrates.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase activity and fatty acid oxidation. Fibrates activate PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase and lowering VLDL and triglycerides, while raising HDL modestly.

Why is "PPAR-gamma" not the answer?

PPAR-gamma is the target of glitazones.

Why is "NPC1L1" not the answer?

NPC1L1 is the target of ezetimibe.

Why is "LDL receptor directly" not the answer?

LDL receptors are not directly activated by fibrates.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lipid drugs: fibrates in Pharmacology. Adverse effects include gallstones, myopathy (especially with statins) and potentiation of warfarin.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Lipid drugs: fibrates?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.