Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42329272›Full record

SynthesisEuropean journal of clinical pharmacology2026

The effect of Pemafibrate on glucose metabolism and FGF21: a systematic review and meta-analysisa of randomized controlled trials.

Haiyan Li, Hengyuan Yu, Mohammad Hassan Sohouli

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European journal of clinical pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Haiyan LiSchool of Clinical Medicine, Baicheng Medical College, Baicheng, Jilin, 137000, China. haiyan2773@163.com.
Hengyuan YuBasic Medical Sciences College Baicheng Medical College, Baicheng, Jilin, 137000, China.
Mohammad Hassan SohouliPediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Centre of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mohammadhassansohouli@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPemafibrate, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) modulator, has shown potential in improving metabolic parameters. However, its effects on key metabolic biomarkers and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), have not been fully elucidated. To evaluate the effects of Pemafibrate on fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and FGF21 through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Embase databases from their inception until November 2025. RCTs assessing the effects of Pemafibrate on the selected metabolic biomarkers were included and the weighted mean differences (WMD) for each outcome were calculated using a random-effects model.

resultsA total of 14 RCTs with 4084 participants were included in the present meta-analysis. Pemafibrate significantly reduced FBG (11 studies, 3273 patients, WMD = -0.47 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.70 to -0.24), insulin levels (7 studies, 2102 patients, WMD = -30.72 pmol/L, 95% CI: -42.08 to -19.36), and HOMA-IR (8 studies, 2381 patients, WMD = -1.60, 95% CI: -2.27 to -0.93). Additionally, FGF21 levels were significantly increased (7 studies, 2178 patients, WMD = 3.30 pg/mL, 95% CI: 2.57 to 4.04). The effect on HbA1c was marginally non-significant (10 studies, 3065 patients, WMD = 0.02%, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that lower duration of Pemafibrate intake were associated with significant improvements in FBG, while higher doses (> 0.2 mg/day) had more pronounced effects on FGF21 and glucoe metabolism. Meta-regression indicated that treatment duration was positively correlated with reductions in insulin levels. The overall GRADE quality assessment was rated as very good, supporting a moderate-to-high level of confidence.

conclusionsPemafibrate significantly improves glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and increases FGF21 levels, making it a promising therapeutic option for patients with metabolic disorders.

Indexed as

BenzoxazolesBlood GlucoseButyratesFibroblast Growth FactorsGlycated HemoglobinHumansInsulinPPAR alphaRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicBenzoxazolesBlood GlucoseButyratesFGF21 protein, humanfibroblast growth factor 21Fibroblast Growth FactorsGlycated HemoglobinInsulinPPAR alpha(R)-2-(3-((benzoxazol-2-yl-d4 (3-(4-methoxyphenoxy-d7)propyl)amino)methyl)phenoxy) butanoic acidFibroblast growth factor 21Glucose mtabolismMeta-analysisMetabolic biomarkersPemafibrate

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.