Ursodeoxycholic acid as a means of preventing atherosclerosis, steatosis and liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Abstract
Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Weight loss is a key factor for successful NAFLD and CVD therapy. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which is one of the first-line therapeutic agents for treatment of NAFLD, is reported to have a beneficial effect on dyslipidemia and ASCVD risk because of antioxidant properties.
Aim: To evaluate the effects of 6 mo of UDCA treatment on hepatic function tests, lipid profile, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, atherogenesis, and ASCVD risk in men and women with NAFLD, as well as to assess the impact of > 5% weight reduction on these parameters.
Methods: An open-label, multicenter, international noncomparative trial was carried out at primary health care settings and included 174 patients with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD who received 15 mg/kg/d UDCA for 6 mo and were prescribed lifestyle modification with diet and exercise. The efficacy criteria were liver enzymes, lipid profile, fatty liver index (FLI), noninvasive liver fibrosis tests (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score and liver fibrosis index), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and ASCVD risk score. To test statistical hypotheses, the Wilcoxon test, paired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's chi-squared test were used.
Results: The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level changed by -14.1 U/L (-31.0; -5.3) from baseline to 3 mo and by -6.5 U/L (-14.0; 0.1) from 3…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 174 participants or records.
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