Effect of pemafibrate, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha modulator (SPPARMα), on urinary protein excretion in IgA nephropathy with hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract

Lipid abnormalities, including hypertriglyceridemia, are one of the most common comorbidities in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are independently associated with disease progression. However, it remains uncertain whether treatment for hypertriglyceridemia has favorable effects on the clinical course of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Pemafibrate is a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha modulator and may be distinct from conventional fibrates in terms of its pharmacological activity and hepatic and renal safety. A recent clinical study demonstrated that pemafibrate was safe and effective for correcting pro-atherogenic lipid abnormalities in CKD patients with a wide range of renal insufficiency. However, the effect of pemafibrate on renal function in patients with IgAN and hypertriglyceridemia has not been verified. This paper is the first to show that 12 months of pemafibrate (0.1 mg daily) administration in three drug-naïve and mild IgAN patients with variable renal dysfunction and histopathology proven IgAN decreased serum triglyceride level and excretion of urinary protein and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein with no change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). These findings suggest that pemafibrate is safe and effective for correcting hypertriglyceridemia and decreasing urinary protein excretion without changing eGFR and blood pressure levels in mild IgAN patients with hypertriglyceridemia.