Research Article Details
Article ID: | A46209 |
PMID: | 20371660 |
Source: | J Clin Endocrinol Metab |
Title: | Effect of fenofibrate and niacin on intrahepatic triglyceride content, very low-density lipoprotein kinetics, and insulin action in obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. |
Abstract: | CONTEXT: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly increased plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations and insulin resistance. Fenofibrate and extended release nicotinic acid (Niaspan) are used to treat hypertriglyceridemia and can affect fatty acid oxidation and plasma free fatty acid concentrations, which influence intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content and metabolic function. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of fenofibrate and nicotinic acid therapy on IHTG content and cardiovascular risk factors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of fenofibrate (8 wk, 200 mg/d), Niaspan (16 wk, 2000 mg/d), or placebo (8 wk) on IHTG content, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) kinetics, and insulin sensitivity. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (body mass index 36 +/- 1 kg/m(2), IHTG 23 +/- 2%) were studied at Washington University. RESULTS: Neither fenofibrate nor Niaspan affected IHTG content, but both decreased plasma TG, VLDL-TG, and VLDL-apolipoprotein B concentrations (P < 0.05). Fenofibrate increased VLDL-TG clearance from plasma (33 to 54 ml/min; P < 0.05) but not VLDL-TG secretion. Niaspan decreased VLDL-TG secretion (27 to 15 micromol/min; P < 0.05) without affecting clearance. Both fenofibrate and Niaspan decreased VLDL-apolipoprotein B secretion (1.6 to 1.2 and 1.3 to 0.9 nmol/min, respectively; P < 0.05). Niaspan reduced hepatic, adipose tissue, and muscle insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05), whereas fenofibrate had no effect on insulin action. CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate and Niaspan decrease plasma VLDL-TG concentration without altering IHTG content. However, the mechanism responsible for the change in VLDL-TG concentration is different for each drug; fenofibrate increases plasma VLDL-TG clearance, whereas nicotinic acid decreases VLDL-TG secretion. |
DOI: | 10.1210/jc.2009-2622 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
---|
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D133 | Fenofibrate | Chemical drug | DB01039 | PPARA agonist; NR1I2 partial agonist | Anti-inflammatory | Under clinical trials | Details |
D239 | Niacin | Supplement | DB00627 | NNMT binder | Hypolipidemic drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |