Fenofibrate and levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 in patients with hypertriglyceridemia

Objectives To investigate endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation(FMD) and the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in hypertriglyceridemia patients and to study effect of fenofibrate. Methods FMD and serum concentrations of MMP-2 were determined in 30 patients with hypertriglyceridemia and 30 normal controls. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia were treated with fenofibrate. After 8 weeks, transformations of FMD and serum levels of MMP-2 were determined. Results Patients with hypertriglyceridemia caused a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Compared with control, the serum levels of MMP-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were markedly increased in patients. After treatment with fenofibrate for 8 weeks, FMD of the patients were improved. Treated with fenofibrate significantly reduced the elevated levels of MMP-2 and TNF-α. Conclusions These results suggest that patients with hypertriglyceridemia have vascular endothelium dysfunction and the management of fenofibrate can improve the patients' FMD. The protective effect of fenofibrate on endothelial cells maybe relates to reduction of serum MMP-2 level.