Liver biochemistry abnormalities in a quaternary care lipid clinic database.
BACKGROUND
The metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are increasing at alarming rates.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) on elevated liver enzymes in patients with hyperlipidemia.


METHODS
Patients with AST above 60 U/L prior to or during treatment with statin therapy at a quaternary care lipid clinic were reviewed.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted. Patients were separated into two groups: Group 1--elevated AST prior to statin therapy; and Group 2--elevated AST during statin therapy.


RESULTS
Forty six patients with one or more measurements of AST >60 U/L remained after exclusion criteria were applied. Ten of 13 (77%) group 1 patients had reduced AST levels after initiation of statin therapy. Thirty two of 33 patients (97%) in group 2 had transient AST elevations while on statin therapy; one patient had persistently elevated AST after initiation of treatment. There were no significant adverse events reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in patients with elevated AST resulted in normalization of AST levels. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were safe in patients with mildly elevated AST. This may translate to use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Wiesinger
Holly A R
HA
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. harwiesi@interchange.ubc.ca
Shah
J
J
White
A
A
Yoshida
E M
EM
Frohlich
J
J
Sirrs
S
S
Gill
S
S
Byrne
M F
MF
D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases