Effects of Fenofibrate on Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Diabetes

Summary

Long-standing diabetes is often complicated by retinopathy. The mechanisms that induce the development of diabetic retinopathy are incompletely understood and include alterations in bone marrow derived vasculogenic cells called "endothelial progenitor cells". Fenofibrate is a PPAR-alpha agonist used for the treatment of mixed dislipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. In a trial conducted in type 2 diabetic patients, the drug fenofibrate has reduced retinopathy-related endpoints suggesting a direct effect of the drug on the mechanisms that drive the development of this complication. Herein, the investigators hypothesize that fenofibrate treatment can increase circulating EPC levels in diabetic patients with retinopathy, compared to placebo.

Timeline

Start

2013-08

Primary completion

2019-10

Completion

2019-12

Outcome

Met primary endpoint

paper When compared with placebo, fenofibrate significantly increased levels of HSPCs expressing CD34 and/or CD133. PMID 34368894 ↗

Publications

• Bonora BM, Albiero M, Morieri ML, Cappellari R, Amendolagine FI, Mazzucato M, Zambon A, Iori E, Avogaro A, Fadini GP. Fenofibrate increases circulating haematopoietic stem cells in people with diabetic retinopathy: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetologia. 2021 Oct;64(10):2334-2344. doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05532-1. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Drugs

Indications