Silybin treatment is associated with reduction in serum ferritin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to examine the effect of a standardized silybin and soy phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB 1016) on serum markers of iron status.


BACKGROUND
Milk thistle and its components are widely used as an alternative therapy for liver disease because of purported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and iron chelating properties.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with chronic hepatitis C and Batts-Ludwig fibrosis stage II, III, or IV were randomized to 1 of 3 doses of IdB 1016 for 12 weeks. Serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin-iron saturation were measured at baseline, during treatment, and 4 weeks thereafter. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare baseline and posttreatment values.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in serum ferritin from baseline to end of treatment (mean, 244 vs. 215 mug/L; median, 178 vs. 148 mug/L; P=0.0005); 78% of subjects had a decrease in serum ferritin level. There was no significant change in serum iron or transferrin-iron saturation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis in a model that included dose, age, sex, HFE genotype, history of alcohol use, and elevated baseline ferritin levels demonstrated that stage III or IV fibrosis was independently associated with decreased posttreatment serum ferritin level.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with IdB 1016 is associated with reduced body iron stores, especially among patients with advanced fibrosis stage.
Bares
Julie M
JM
Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Berger
Jose
J
Nelson
James E
JE
Messner
Donald J
DJ
Schildt
Sandra
S
Standish
Leanna J
LJ
Kowdley
Kris V
KV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020944:Silybum marianum / Q000737:chemistry; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012838:Silymarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012838:Silymarin; D014168:Transferrin; C067772:IdB 1016; D005293:Ferritins