title: Effect of rosuvastatin on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolaemia: a preliminary report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no widely accepted treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or its advanced form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) for 1 year in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), NASH on liver biopsy and dyslipidaemia (but without diabetes or arterial hypertension). Patients also received lifestyle advice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report preliminary results for 6 patients. The second biopsy (at the end of the study) showed complete resolution of NASH in 5 patients, while the 6(th), which had no improvement, developed arterial hypertension and substantial rise in triglyceride levels during the study. We suspect alcohol abuse despite advice to abstain. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were reduced by 76 and 61%, respectively (p < 0.001 for both), during treatment, while γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) showed smaller non significant reductions. Fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Lipid values were totally normalised and liver ultrasonography showed a complete resolution of NASH in 5 patients. Body mass index and waist circumference remained unchanged during the study. Thus, changes in liver pathology and function should be attributed to treatment with rosuvastatin. A substantial limitation of the study is the small number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings suggest that rosuvastatin could ameliorate NASH within a year of treatment in MetS patients with dyslipidaemia.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kargiotis
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.forename: Vasilios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Athyros
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Giouleme
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patsiaoura
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinic), Royal Free Hospital Campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK. MIKHAILIDIS@aol.com.
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karagiannis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium