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

Background: We investigated effects of fenofibrate therapy on endothelial dysfunction and adipocytokine profiles. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted in 53 patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia. We administered placebo or fenofibrate 160 mg daily for 8 weeks. Results: 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 0.90 mg/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). Conclusions: Fenofibrate therapy significantly reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers and improved adipocytokines levels and insulin sensitivity in hypertriglyceridemic patients.