Effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients

We investigated the effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Patients with a triglyceride level >or=200 mg/dL were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of fenofibrate (n = 54) or general measures (n = 54). A third group of patients with hypercholesterolemia received a statin (n = 54). Patients with a CRP level >or=10 mg/L were excluded. CRP levels were measured before and after 2 months of therapy. Fenofibrate did not reduce CRP levels (1.74 +/- 1.74 vs. 1.54 +/- 1.66 mg/L, P = 0.27) nor did general measures (P = 0.85). Statin reduced CRP levels (P = 0.002). In patients with baseline CRP levels of >or=3 mg/dL, CRP levels were decreased in both the fenofibrate and control groups (P = 0.026 and 0.008, respectively). Changes in CRP levels were associated only with baseline CRP levels in both groups (P = 0.001 and 0.049, respectively). When all hypertriglyceridemic patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to changes in body weights, CRP levels decreased in patients who reduced their body weight >or=1 kg (n = 29, P = 0.030), and were not changed in the other patients (n = 79, P = 0.67). In summary, fenofibrate failed to decrease CRP levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. An anti-inflammatory mechanism may not play a significant role in the cardioprotective effect of fenofibrate.