Statins in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronically elevated liver enzymes: a histopathological follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of statins on hepatic histology in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not known. This study explores hepatic histology in NAFLD patients before and after initiation of statin therapy and compares histological outcome with NAFLD patients who had not been prescribed statins.


METHODS
Sixty-eight NAFLD patients were re-evaluated. Follow-up ranged from 10.3 to 16.3 years. Subjects were clinically investigated and a repeat liver biopsy was obtained. No patient was taking statins at baseline while 17 patients were treated with statins at follow-up.


RESULTS
At baseline, patients that later were prescribed statins had significantly higher BMI and more pronounced hepatic steatosis. At follow-up patients on medication with statins continued to have significantly higher BMI. Diabetes was significantly more common among patients on medication with statins and they had significantly more pronounced insulin resistance. However, they exhibited a significant reduction of liver steatosis at follow-up as opposed to patients not taking statins. Despite exhibiting a high risk profile for progression of liver fibrosis, only four patients on statin treatment progressed in fibrosis stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Statins can be prescribed in patients with elevated liver enzymes because of NAFLD.
Ekstedt
Mattias
M
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Franzén
Lennart E
LE
Mathiesen
Ulrik L
UL
Holmqvist
Marika
M
Bodemar
Göran
G
Kechagias
Stergios
S
D000328:Adult; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004798:Enzymes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors