Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and statins

Abstract

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent cause of elevated transaminase levels and affects approximately one third of the general population. Patients with NAFLD are at increased risk for cardiovascular events, which represent the leading cause of death in this population. We discuss the safety and efficacy of statins in this population.

Materials/methods: We reviewed the most recent literature on the safety of statins in patients with NAFLD and on their effects on liver histology and cardiovascular events.

Results: It appears that statins can be safely administered to patients with NAFLD, including those with elevated transaminase levels (<3 times the upper limit of normal). Post-hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials also suggest that statins might reduce cardiovascular morbidity in this population. On the other hand, there are few and controversial data on the effects of statins on liver histology in patients with NAFLD.

Conclusions: Statins appear to be safe and might also reduce cardiovascular events in patients with NAFLD. Ongoing and future studies will clarify whether statins might also have a role in the treatment of NAFLD.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Fatty liver; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; Statins.