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A pilot study of atorvastatin treatment in dyslipemid, non-alcoholic fatty liver patients
E Gómez-Domínguez1, J P Gisbert, J A Moreno-Monteagudo
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service, Hospital Universitario la Princesa and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of liver injury. Currently, there are no proven effective therapies available. Atorvastatin is a new 3-hydroxy-3-metylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor that reduces lipid serum levels.
Aim:
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of atorvastatin in dyslipemid, non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.
Patients And Methods:
We prospectively enrolled 25 patients with NAFLD; 22 of them completed the study. Body mass index, serum lipids, liver function tests and liver density assessed by echography were measured at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of treatment. Normalization of transaminases and/or improvement in liver density were treatment end points. Patients received atorvastatin (10-80 mg/daily) according to basal serum choleresterol levels; additionally, they were given standard weight-loss counselling and encouraged to follow a low fat diet.
Results:
All 22 patients (14 men, mean age 47 +/- 10 years) had high cholesterol levels at baseline and 11 (44%) also presented high trygliceride levels. After 6 months of treatment, eight patients (36.3%) presented normal transaminase levels. The remaining patients continued treatment for 12 months when 20% of patients presented with normal transaminase levels, while the other patients showed a 10% reduction in basal levels. Mean cholesterol levels were 268.5 +/- 44.2 and 186.8 +/- 14.4 mg/dL before and after treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index was 27.4 +/- 3.1 at baseline and 26.3 +/- 2.8 kg/cm2 at the end of treatment (P > 0.05). No side effects were reported.
Conclusions:
Serum aminotransferase and lipid levels were reduced significantly in all patients with atorvastatin treatment. Therapy with atorvastatin in NAFLD patients with hyperlipidemia was found to be both effective and safe.
Insights
Atorvastatin effectively reduced liver enzymes and cholesterol in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with hyperlipidemia. This study found atorvastatin therapy to be safe and beneficial for NAFLD management.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver injury with no current effective therapies.
- Atorvastatin, a statin, effectively lowers serum lipid levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in patients with NAFLD and dyslipidemia.
- To evaluate the impact of atorvastatin on liver enzymes and lipid profiles in NAFLD patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 25 NAFLD patients, with 22 completing 12 months of atorvastatin treatment (10-80 mg/daily).
- Measurements included BMI, serum lipids, liver function tests, and liver density via echography.
- Treatment endpoints were normalization of transaminases and/or improved liver density.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in mean cholesterol levels from 268.5 to 186.8 mg/dL (P < 0.05).
- After 6 months, 36.3% of patients had normal transaminases; after 12 months, 20% had normal levels, and others showed a 10% reduction.
- No adverse side effects were reported during the study.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin treatment significantly reduced serum aminotransferase and lipid levels in NAFLD patients.
- Atorvastatin is an effective and safe therapeutic option for NAFLD patients suffering from hyperlipidemia.
