Fig. 1

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) improves diarrheal hallmarks in rats via PPARα activation. Intracolonic administration of HIV-1 Tat protein (130 ng/Kg) resulted in a significant increase of a daily defecation frequency, b average daily number of wet spots, and c fluid accumulation within 7 days from diarrhea induction. Administration of PEA significantly improved diarrhea in a concentration-dependent manner (at 2 and 10 mg/kg, respectively); the antidiarrheal activity of PEA was significantly inhibited in the presence of PPARα antagonist (MK866), whereas PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) had no effect. The results are expressed as mean ± SEM of n = 5 experiments. ***p < 0.001 vs. vehicle group; °°p < 0.01 and °°°p < 0.001 vs. HIV-1 Tat group