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Statins and Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Tannaz Jamialahmadi1,2, Zeljko Reiner3, Maryam Matbou Riahi2

  • 1International UNESCO center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|September 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Statins, used for cholesterol, did not significantly reduce portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease. Further research is needed to clarify the role of statins in managing this liver complication.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Statins are lipid-lowering drugs primarily for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • Portal hypertension is a critical complication of chronic liver disease.
  • The potential benefit of statins for portal hypertension remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of statins in reducing portal hypertension.
  • To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on statin use in portal hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases up to February 5th, 2021.
  • Six RCTs involving 442 patients treated with statins or statins plus carvedilol were included.
  • Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 software.

Main Results:

  • Statin treatment did not result in a significant reduction in portal hypertension (WMD: -0.494, p=0.194).
  • Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings.
  • No significant heterogeneity was observed (I2:0%).

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence suggests that statins do not significantly decrease portal hypertension.
  • The therapeutic role of statins in managing portal hypertension requires further investigation.
Abstract

Keywords:
HMG-CoA.Rho-kinase activityStatinschronic liver diseasenitric oxideportal hypertension

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