NASH-related metabolic parameters improved with therapy including histology in some patients. However, three of 13 patients had progression of fibrosis during the treatment. Our pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of pitavastatin for the treatment of NASH with dyslipidemia, especially with hyperlipoproteinemia type IIb and controlled trials are needed in the future.

NASH-related metabolic parameters improved with therapy including histology in some patients. However, one of nine patients had progression of fibrosis during the treatment. Our pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of rosuvastatin for the treatment of NASH with dyslipidemia, even if transaminases are not so elevated and controlled trials are needed in the future.

Organic anions have recently been found to partition in vitro into various biliary lipid particulate species according to their relative hydrophobicities. To establish the physiological relevance of these observations, we intravenously injected various radiolabeled organic anions and assessed the distributions of parent compounds and their metabolites to lipid particles in canine bile. Partitioning into various biliary lipid particles was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Relative hydrophobicities of the various organic anions and their radiolabeled conjugates were determined by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. A strong positive correlation (P less than 0.001) was found between percent vesicular association and degree of hydrophobicity for a given organic anion and/or its more polar conjugate. We conclude that 1) the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of organic anions is a key factor governing their partitioning to lipid particles secreted in bile; 2) the present study agrees well with our previously published in vitro observations; and 3) other chemical constituents, e.g., proteins, mucin, etc., appear to have little or no effect on organic anion transport in bile.

Introduction Muscle cramps are common comorbidities in chronic liver disease (CLD). Although the prevalence of these has been reported in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), that of CLD is unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the prevalence and characteristics of muscle cramps in individual CLD. Patients and methods A total of 432 patients with CLD who visited our hospital were enrolled. The existence of muscle cramps, frequency, time zone, duration, and the degree of pain were investigated using a medical interview questionnaire. Results The median age of the patients was 65 years and 48.6% of the patients were women. The prevalence of muscle cramps was 25.9%. Age, female sex, lower BMI, existence of comorbid diseases, and liver fibrosis were associated significantly with muscle cramps. In LC, muscle cramps were significantly frequent, and the severity and duration of these were significantly stronger and longer compared with chronic hepatitis. Female sex [odds ratio (OR): 2.26; P=0.014], diabetes (OR: 29.4; P<0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR: 8.33; P=0.004), and lower BMI (OR: 0.853; P<0.001) were independent factors associated with muscle cramps in CLD. Muscle mass indices were significantly lower among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with muscle cramps, female patients, elderly patients, and patients with advanced fibrosis. Conclusion The prevalence of muscle cramps was relatively high in CLD. Female sex, comorbid diabetes, and chronic kidney disease are associated with muscle cramps in CLD. Furthermore, reduced muscle mass is related to muscle cramps in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.