Effects of Pemafibrate, a Novel Selective PPARα Modulator, on Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes is frequently complicated with atherogenic dyslipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemafibrate (K-877) in patients with type 2 diabetes comorbid with hypertriglyceridemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to three groups and received placebo (n = 57), 0.2 mg/day pemafibrate (n = 54), or 0.4 mg/day pemafibrate (n = 55) for 24 weeks (treatment period 1). Subsequently, the patients received follow-up treatment for another 28 weeks (treatment period 2), in which the placebo was switched to 0.2 mg/day pemafibrate. This article presents the results of treatment period 1, which were the primary objectives.

RESULTS The pemafibrate groups showed significantly reduced fasting serum triglyceride levels by ∼45% compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the pemafibrate groups displayed significant decreases in non-HDL and remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B100, ApoB48, and ApoCIII levels and significant increases in HDL cholesterol and ApoA-I levels. LDL cholesterol levels were not considerably altered in the pemafibrate groups. Furthermore, the 0.2 mg/day pemafibrate group showed a significantly reduced HOMA–insulin resistance score compared with the placebo group; however, no significant changes compared with placebo were found in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, glycoalbumin, or HbA_1c levels. The pemafibrate groups also showed significantly increased fibroblast growth factor 21 levels compared with the placebo group. All groups displayed comparable rates of adverse events and drug reactions.

CONCLUSIONS Pemafibrate significantly ameliorated lipid abnormalities and was well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes comorbid with hypertriglyceridemia.