Effects of Fenofibrate on Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Diabetes
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.