Atorvastatin does not improve liver biochemistries or Mayo Risk Score in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Statin treatment reduces hypercholesterolemia and may be anti-inflammatory. Case reports noted decreased alkaline phosphatase and histological improvement following statin treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of statin treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis. A retrospective analysis compared clinical and biochemical data from 15 hypercholesterolemic individuals with primary biliary cirrhosis who were treated long-term with atorvastatin with an age and gender matched, primary biliary cirrhosis control group. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p < or = 0.002) was observed throughout atorvastatin treatment (median time 2.5 years). LDL-cholesterol levels in the control group were not significantly changed after 2 years (p > 0.050). No significant changes were noted in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and Mayo Risk Score in either group (p > 0.05). Long-term atorvastatin treatment reduced LDL-cholesterol in primary biliary cirrhosis, but there was no evidence of any anti-inflammatory effect.
Stanca
Carmen M
CM
Department of Medicine, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1633, New York, NY 10029, USA. cstanca@lmcmc.com
Bach
Nancy
N
Allina
Jorge
J
Bodian
Carol
C
Bodenheimer
Henry
H
Odin
Joseph A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin