In:
Current Vascular Pharmacology, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., Vol. 19, No. 5 ( 2021-09), p. 572-581
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its severe form, non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH), are major health problems worldwide. Genetics may play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH in 5,400 military personnel and evaluate
the effect of treatment with 3 statins on NAFLD/NASH using 2 non-invasive scores [NAFLD Activity Score (NAS); Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4)]. Methods: During the mandatory annual medical check-up, military personnel underwent a clinical
and laboratory evaluation. Participants with NAFLD/NASH were randomized into 4 groups (n=151 each): diet-exercise, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, or pitavastatin for 1 year (i.e., until the next
routine evaluation). Results: From all the participants, 613 had NAFLD/NASH (prevalence 11.3 vs 39.8% in the general
population, p 〈 0.001), and a total of 604 consented to participate in the study. After a year of
treatment, the diet-exercise group showed no significant changes in both scores (NAS 4.98 baseline vs. 5.62, p=0.07; FIB-4 3.42 vs. 3.52, p=0.7). For the atorvastatin group, both scores were reduced
(NAS 4.97 vs 1.95, p 〈 0.001, FIB-4 3.56 vs 0.83, p 〈 0.001), for rosuvastatin (NAS 5.55 vs
1.81, p 〈 0.001, FIB-4 3.61 vs 0.79, p 〈 0.001), and for pitavastatin (NAS 4.89 vs 1.99, p 〈 0.001,
FIB-4 3.78 vs 0.87, p 〈 0.001). Conclusions : Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pitavastatin have a beneficial and safe effect in
NAFLD/NASH patients as recorded by the improvement in the NAS (representing NAFLD activity) and FIB-4 (representing liver fibrosis) scores. Since both those with and without NAFLD/-
NASH shared several baseline characteristics, genetics may play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH and its treatment with statins.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1570-1611
DOI:
10.2174/1570161118666201015152921
Language:
English
Publisher:
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Publication Date:
2021
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