In the present study, we explored if fenofibrate prevents iron-induced liver injury by regulating the Sirt3 and β-catenin signaling. Sirtuin3 (Sirt3), a type of NAD +-dependent deacetylase, that plays a critical role in metabolic regulation was found to prevent ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by normalizing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. We recently reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist, fenofibrate, prevents iron-induced oxidative stress and β-catenin signaling by chelating the iron. Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a hallmark of several hepatic pathologies. However, our knowledge on how iron contributes to the liver injury is limited.

Iron accumulation is frequently associated with chronic liver diseases.