Reverse Translational Study of Fenofibrate's Observed Effects in Diabetes‐Associated Retinopathy

Clinical trials suggest that fenofibrate reduces the progression of retinopathies in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, patients with retinopathies have elevated levels of inflammatory chemokines and dysfunctional retinal angiogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fenofibrate on the production of inflammatory chemokines and genes associated with angiogenesis. Retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPECs) were cultured with IL‐1β and fenofibrate ranging from 1–50 μM. ENA‐78, IL‐8, and RANTES were measured in cell culture by ELISA. ENA‐78, ABCA1, and ABCG1 gene expression were tested by RT‐PCR. IL‐1β significantly induced the production of ENA‐78, IL‐8, and RANTES. Fenofibrate at concentrations of 25–50 uM blunted the IL‐1β induced production of ENA‐78 (p < 0.05) with no significant effects on RANTES and IL‐8. Fenofibrate also reduced the expression of the ENA‐78 gene as well as ABCA1 and ABCG1, which are genes involved in angiogenesis. Fenofibrate decreases ENA‐78 production and ABCA1/ABCG1 gene expression in RPECs.