Fenofibrate Has Beneficial Effects on Lipid Profile But Has No Effect on Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Hypolipidemic agent fenofibrate has recently been demonstrated to improve carbohydrate metabolism in animal and cell models. The purpose of this study was to determine its clinical effects on glycemic control and the relationship with its hypolipidemic action in type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia were recruited from the Endocrine Division’s outpatient clinic of a tertiary-care university-affiliated centre and randomly assigned micronised fenofibrate 200mg daily or placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study for three months. A total of 44 patients completed the study. Main outcome measured were changes from the baseline in fasting and postprandial lipid and glycemic variables. Results: Treatment with micronised fenofibrate resulted in a significant decrease in fasting (3.81 ± 1.86 to 1.90 ± 0.77 mmol/L, p< 0.0001) and postprandial triglyceride (5.36±2.640 to 2.30±1.33 mmol/L, p< 0.0001), total cholesterol (6.18±1.17 to 5.23±0.97 mmol/L, p