The effects of fenofibrate on inflammation and cardiovascular markers in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPARα) agonists, or fibrates, are used in the treatment for dyslipidemia. Experimental data suggest that fibrates have anti-inflammatory properties, and PPARα is essential for the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) which diminished pool in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contributes to accelerated atherosclerosis. The data on fibrates' effects in patients with RA are limited.