Effects of fenofibrate therapy on circulating adipocytokines in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia

We investigated effects of fenofibrate therapy on endothelial dysfunction and adipocytokine profiles.

A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted in 53 patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia. We administered placebo or fenofibrate 160mg daily for 8 weeks.

When compared with placebo, fenofibrate therapy substantially lowered plasma levels of TNF-α by 6±3% (P=0.014) and hsCRP from 1.10 to 0.90mg/l (P=0.004). When compared with placebo, fenofibrate therapy increased plasma levels of adiponectin by 17±4% (P=0.001), insulin sensitivity by 4±1% (as assessed by QUICKI, P=0.009), and decreased plasma levels of leptin and resistin by 4±7% (P=0.022) and 10±3% (P=0.001), respectively. There were correlations between percent changes in QUICKI and percent changes in adiponectin levels (r=0.279, P=0.043) or leptin (r=-0.280, P=0.042).

Fenofibrate therapy significantly reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers and improved adipocytokines levels and insulin sensitivity in hypertriglyceridemic patients.