CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR ALPHA AGONISTS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: AN OPEN-LABEL CONTROLLED STUDY

Abstract

Efficacy and pharmacodynamics of PPARα agonist fenofibrate have been assessed in a controlled study on patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving traditional DMARDs. After 12 weeks of treatment, we observed a significant drop of DAS28 scores, decrease in number of tender and swollen joints, and slower ESR in fenofibrate group (n = 33) as compared with control group (n = 17). Frequency of EULAR and ACR20 responses was 4 times higher in fenofibrate group. Clinical effect was accompanied by decrease in serum immunological markers of atherosclerosis (IL-6 and CRP), diminished total cholesterol andtriglycerides. In summary, PPARα agonists may represent an example of a “hub” treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, with pleiotropic effects directed at inflammatory activity and increased risk of other comorbidites, including atherosclerosis.

Keywords

• autoimmune disorders
• rheumatoid arthritis
• ppar
• fenofibrate