Managing metabolic syndrome with ‘fenofibrates’

Fenofibrate has been shown to reduce risk of coronary events, including non-fatal heart attack and stroke, in patients with metabolic syndrome.

A study demonstrated the benefits of fenofibrate therapy in atherogenic dyslipidemia, a common risk factor for metabolic syndrome, a constellation of risk factors which also include obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia is characterized by high-triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the preponderance of small low-density lipoprotein.

Results of the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS) showed that patients who took fenofibrate instead of placebo had a 40 percent less progression of minimum lumen (inner open space of the blood vessel) diameter (p= 0.02). There was also a 42 percent less progression in percentage diameter stenosis (narrowing of the heart vessels) versus placebo treatment (p=0.02).

Currently, fenofibrate is being investigated through the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study. This is considered as the largest trial to date in a population with type 2 diabetes which examines the therapeutic effects of micronized fenofibrate on fatal study.

Results of the study will be released at the end of the year and is expected to provide information on the efficacy of fenofibrate as the treatment option in people with type 2 diabetes.

Fenofibrate belongs to a class of drugs known as fibric acid derivatives or fibrate. It is currently being studied as a treatment option for CHD in people with type 2 diabetes.

(Reference: Effect of fenofibrate on progression of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study, a randomized study. Lancet, 2001; 357:905-910)