 hepatic fatty acid (FA) uptake and reduction of hepatic triglyceride production: In rodents, fibrates increase FA uptake and conversion to acyl-CoA by the liver owing to the induction of FA transporter protein and acyl-CoA synthetase activity. Induction of the ß-oxidation pathway with a concomitant decrease in FA synthesis by fibrates results in a lower availability of FAs for triglyceride synthesis, a process that is amplified by the inhibition of hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue by fibrates.
- Increased removal of LDL particles: Fibrate treatment results in the formation of LDL with a higher affinity for the LDL receptor, which are thus catabolized more rapidly.
- Reduction in neutral lipid (cholesteryl ester and triglyceride) exchange between VLDL and HDL may result from decreased plasma levels of TRL.
- Increase in HDL production and stimulation of reverse cholesterol transport: Fibrates increase the production of apoA-I and apoA-II in liver, which may contribute to the increase of plasma HDL concentrations and a more efficient reverse cholesterol transport.
In combination with statin drugs, fibrates cause an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, idiosyncratic destruction of muscle tissue, leading to renal failure. A powerful statin drug, cerivastatin (Lipobay), was withdrawn because of this complication. The less lipophilic statins are less prone to cause this reaction, and are probably safer when combined with fibrates.
Although used clinically since the 1930s, if not earlier, the mechanism of action of fibrates remained unelucidated until, in the 1990s, it was discovered that fibrates activate PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), especially PPARα. The PPARs are a class of intracellular receptors that modulate carbohydrate and fat metabolism and adipose tissue differentiation.
Fibrates have been shown to extend lifespan in the roundworm C. elegans. 
- Steiner G (December 2007). "Atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: a role for fibrate therapy?". Diab Vasc Dis Res 4 (4): 368–74. doi:10.3132/dvdr.2007.067. PMID 18158710.
- Abourbih S, Filion KB, Joseph L, Schiffrin EL, Rinfret S, Poirier P, Pilote L, Genest J, Eisenberg MJ (2009). "Effect of fibrates on lipid profiles and cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review". Am J Med 122 (10): 962.e1–962.e8. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.03.030. PMID 19698935.
- Jun M, Foote C, Lv J et al. (2010). "Effects of fibrates on cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Lancet 375 (9729): 1875–1884. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60656-3.
- Wysocki J1, Belowski D, Kalina M, Kochanski L, Okopien B, Kalina Z (2004). "Effects of micronized fenofibrate on insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 42 (4): 212–217. PMID 15124979.
- Zhao YY, Weir MA, Manno M, Cordy P, Gomes T, Hackam DG et al. (2012). "New fibrate use and acute renal outcomes in elderly adults: a population-based study.". Ann Intern Med 156 (8): 560–9. doi:10.1059/0003-4819-156-8-201204170-00003. PMID 22508733.
- "Pharmaceutical composition and method for treatment of digestive disorders - Patent 4976970". Retrieved 2008-12-20.