Fenofibrate treatment is associated with better glycemic control and lower serum leptin and insulin levels in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Background: Hertriglyceridemia is commonly encountered in type 2 diabetic patients. Fibrates are a group of drugs that efficiently decrease triglycerides, increase HDL, and improve the prognosis in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. However, the effects of fibrates on glycemic control, blood pressure, fasting serum insulin, and leptin concentrations are not clear. The present study addresses the question of whether fenofibrate treatment in hypertriglyceridemic type 2 diabetic patients leads to changes in metabolic control, body mass index, leptin, free fatty acids, plasma insulin, and blood pressure.
Methods: Thirty-one type 2 diabetic patients who had serum triglyceride levels between 250 and 400 mg/dl were included in the study. They were given 250 mg/day fenofibrate once daily for 3 months. Antidiabetic and antihypertensive treatments were kept unchanged throughout the study.
Results: Fenofibrate treatment resulted in better glycemic control, as evidenced by lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose and HbAlc, decreased fasting serum insulin and leptin levels, as well as a reduction in hypertrigyceridemia and serum free fatty acids, and an increase in HDL cholesterol. Blood pressure, body mass index, and LDL remained unchanged. Fenofibrate was well tolerated in all patients.
Conclusion: Fenofibrate treatment in hypertriglyceridemic type 2 diabetic patients is beneficial not only in terms of lipid profile, but also for glycemic control and insulin resistance.