Use of Statins in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis: Current Views and Prospects

Abstract

Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to analyze the current evidence regarding the use of statins in patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Recent findings Chronic liver disease (CLD), cirrhosis, and its complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are significant public health problems. The use of statins in patients with CLD has been a matter of concern, and physicians are often reluctant to its prescription in these patients. This mainly relates to the potential occurrence of drug-induced liver injury. However, newer evidence from pre-clinical and clinical research has shown that statins are drugs with a potentially beneficial impact on the natural history of cirrhosis, on portal hypertension, and in HCC prevention. Summary In this review, we summarize current evidence regarding the influence of statins in endothelial dysfunction in CLD, their ability to modulate hepatic fibrogenesis, and their vasoprotective effects in portal hypertension; we also focus on existing data about the impact of statins in cirrhosis development, progression, and complications and critically assess the current concerns about its use in patients with CLD.

Hypocholesterolaemic and hepatoprotective effects of virgin avocado oil in diet‐induced hypercholesterolaemia rats

“…Cirrhosis, the irreversible end stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, can lead to liver failure (Bertot & Adams, ). The hepatoprotective effect of simvastatin has been well documented (Vargas et al ., ). Current study indicates oral administration of VAO can exert a similar effect as simvastatin on reducing the liver damage index, suggesting the hepatoprotective potential of VAO in alleviating liver damage.…”

International Liver Transplantation Consensus Statement on End-stage Liver Disease Due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Liver Transplantation

“…For dyslipidemia, statin therapy should be considered as first line treatment. The potential rare occurrence of drug-induced liver injury needs to be balanced with the beneficial impact on preventing CAD but also its effects on the natural history of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and HCC prevention 66 . Furthermore, a cross-sectional study evaluated the effect of statins in 1201 high-risk NAFLD patients (age 50, severe obesity, 50% DM) without cirrhosis who underwent liver biopsy.…”

Origins of Portal Hypertension in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…However, most drug candidates implicated in the control of PHT have not yet reached the human phase of investigation and we only have experimental evidence for their PVP lowering effects (Table 2). Details about the mechanisms of action and potential utility of these agents have been the subject of several recent reviews [87][88][89][90]. From the viewpoint of noncirrhotic NAFLD, interventions that target reversible components of endothelial dysfunction and deranged sinusoidal circulation may be of particular interest.…”