Long-term effects of fenofibrate on carotid intima-media thickness and augmentation index in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: The aim of this substudy was to ascertain whether long-term treatment with fenofibrate reduces surrogate measures of atherosclerosis, biomarkers of inflammation, and endothelial activation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Some fibrates may decrease cardiovascular events, improve endothelial function, and reduce levels of acute-phase proteins. In the FIELD (Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes) study, fenofibrate failed to decrease the primary end point of coronary events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A total of 170 patients with type 2 diabetes of the FIELD Helsinki cohort were randomly assigned to micronized fenofibrate 200 mg/day or placebo in a double-blind design. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the augmentation index (a measure of large artery stiffness) were measured at baseline and at second- and fifth-year visits. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (SPLA2), E-selectin, vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule (CAM)-1 were determined by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits at the same visits.

Results: IMT and the augmentation index increased similarly in both treatment groups during the study. Plasma levels of CRP, IL-6, SPLA2, SAA, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin remained unchanged in both groups.

Conclusions: Fenofibrate treatment was not associated with beneficial changes in IMT, augmentation index, or biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial function. (Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes; NCT00132886).