FENOFIBRATE

What is fenofibrate?

Fenofibrate is part of a class of medications known as fibric acid derivates. Their primary function is to lower triglyceride levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels in patients.

How does fenofibrate work?

Cholesterol in the body is made up of two parts: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, as an abundance of this type can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and other health problems. HDL, on the other hand, is the “good” cholesterol; it works to clear other circulating cholesterol in the body to prevent buildup [1]. Fenofibrate exerts its effects on HDL and triglycerides, another type of potentially harmful fat circulating in the blood. Fenofibrate works to increase the amount of HDL and break down unwanted triglycerides so they can be removed from the body.

How can fenofibrate affect those with long-COVID?

Fenofibrate also possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-thrombotic properties [2]. These properties may help reduce symptoms for those suffering from long-term COVID. Additionally, fenofibrate has activity against an enzyme called ACE2, the same enzyme that COVID-19 uses to enter the cells. By blocking this entryway, fenofibrate stops COVID-19, halting body access [2].

Although more research needs to be conducted in humans to solidify fenofibrate’s role in long-COVID, it does show promise in the lab-based studies performed [3]. One study showed that viral infectivity may be reduced by up to 70% [4].  In persons with long-COVID, the current theory is that although patients are not actively infected, they still shed the virus in their bodies [4]. Through fenofibrate’s ability to block COVID-19’s access into the cells, COVID-19 is now halted, leading to a decrease in symptoms and eventual recovery.

References:

¹https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/art-20046388#:~:text=High%2Ddensity%20lipoprotein%20(HDL),of%20cholesterol%20from%20your%20bloodstream

²https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00011-022-01615-w

³https://www.goodrx.com/fenofibrate/fenofibrate-covid

⁴https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.08.021