title: Fenofibrate reduces C-reactive protein levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients with high risks for cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein (CRP) are under debate. We investigated the effect of fenofibrate on CRP levels and the variables determining changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study enrolled 280 hypertriglyceridemic patients who were managed either with 200 mg of fenofibrate (Fenofibrate group, n=140) or with standard treatment (comparison group, n=140). CRP levels were measured before and after management for 2 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRP levels decreased in both the fenofibrate (p=0.003) and comparison (p=0.048) groups. Changes in CRP levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.27) and were negatively associated with baseline CRP levels (r=-0.47, p<0.001). In patients with a baseline CRP level ≥1 mg/L, CRP levels also decreased in both groups (p=0.000 and p=0.001 respectively), however, more in the fenofibrate group than in the comparison group (p=0.025). The reduction of CRP was associated with higher baseline CRP levels (r=-0.29, p=0.001), lower body mass index (BMI, r=0.23, p=0.007), and fenofibrate therapy (r=0.19, p=0.025). CRP levels decreased more in the fenofibrate group than in the comparison group in patients with a BMI ≤26 kg/m(2) with borderline significance (-1.21±1.82 mg/L vs. -0.89±1.92 mg/L, p=0.097). In patients with a high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level <40 mg/dL, CRP levels were reduced only in the fenofibrate group (p=0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fenofibrate reduced CRP levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients with high CRP and/or low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and without severe overweight. This finding suggests that fenofibrate may have an anti-inflammatory effect in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Young Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Cheol Won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hyeon
authors.forename: Jun Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Kyung Joon
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jee Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Wang-Soo
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang Je
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chee Jeong
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kim