Beneficial effects of fenofibrate to improve endothelial dysfunction and raise adiponectin levels in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia.
OBJECTIVE
Improvement in endothelial function is predicted to improve insulin sensitivity, and this may be one mechanism by which fenofibrate decreases the incidence of coronary heart disease. We hypothesize fenofibrate improves endothelial function by enhancing insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
We administered placebo or fenofibrate 200 mg daily for 8 weeks to 46 patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia (24 had metabolic syndrome). This study was randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, and crossover in design.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, fenofibrate decreased total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (all P < 0.001) while tending to decrease LDL cholesterol (P = 0.069). Fenofibrate significantly improved percent flow-mediated dilator response to hyperemia by 48 +/- 5% (P < 0.001) and lowered plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to baseline measurements from 0.80 to 0.70 mg/l (P = 0.001) and fibrinogen levels by 16 +/- 3% (P < 0.001). Compared with placebo, fenofibrate therapy significantly increased plasma levels of adiponectin by 14 +/- 5% (P = 0.008) and increased insulin sensitivity (assessed by quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI]) by 6 +/- 2% (P = 0.048). There were significant correlations between percent changes in adiponectin levels and percent changes in flow-mediated dilation (r = 0.401, P = 0.006), hsCRP (r = -0.443, P = 0.002), or QUICKI (r = 0.292, P = 0.049). Multivariate regression analysis showed that only changes in adiponectin levels persisted as an independent predictor of changes in flow-mediated dilation (r = 0.504, P = 0.013). Overall, we observed similar results in 24 patients with metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Fenofibrate therapy significantly improved percent flow-mediated dilator response to hyperemia, reduced inflammation marker levels, increased adiponectin levels, and improved insulin sensitivity in hypertriglyceridemic or metabolic syndrome patients.
Koh
Kwang Kon
KK
Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Unit, Division of Cardiology, Gil Heart Center, Gachon Medical School, 1198 Kuwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, Korea 405-760. kwangk@ghil.com
Han
Seung Hwan
SH
Quon
Michael J
MJ
Yeal Ahn
Jeong
J
Shin
Eak Kyun
EK
D052242:Adiponectin; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010919:Placebos
D052242:Adiponectin; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010919:Placebos; D011345:Fenofibrate