Effects of comicronised fenofibrate on lipid and insulin sensitivity in patients with polymetabolic syndrome X

Background This study investigated the effects of comicronised fenofibrate in patients with dyslipidemia and polymetabolic syndrome X. Design After a 6-week dietary run-in phase, 37 male patients eligible on li pid criteria entered a 12-week treatment phase consisting of diet plus one capsule daily containing 200 mg of comicronised fenofibrate (Lipanthyl (R)) . Results A significant reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholester ol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride was observed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks o f treatment with fenofibrate. The improvement in the atherogenic index LDL/ HDL cholesterol from a pretreatment 3.8 to 3.0 after treatment was highly s tatistically significant and may be judged as satisfactory. Significant cha nges were also observed in haemostatic factors (fibrinogen reduced by 19%, factor VII activity reduced by 18%). Fasting serum insulin levels and insul in response (area under the curve) after oral glucose load were significant ly reduced by 26.8% and 18.7%, respectively, indicating an improvement of i nsulin sensitivity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantl y reduced. Uric acid was significantly reduced by 21.6%. Conclusion These favourable effects of comicronised fenofibrate both on lip id and non lipid parameters, including insulin sensitivity, may confer to t his product a particular interest in the treatment of patients with polymet abolic syndrome X.