Can Atorvastatin be used in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)?

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From the Guidelines

Atorvastatin can be used in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).

Rationale

  • The use of statins, including atorvastatin, in patients with NASH is supported by multiple studies, which have shown that statins can safely lower liver enzymes and reduce cardiovascular morbidity in these patients 1.
  • Statins are considered a first-line treatment to lower LDL-C and prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with NASH, and their use is recommended in guidelines for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NASH 1.
  • The risk of hepatotoxicity associated with statin treatment is low, with less than 1% of patients withdrawing from studies due to hepatotoxicity 1.
  • While some studies have suggested that statins may improve liver biochemistries and histology in patients with NASH, the evidence is not yet conclusive, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of statins on liver disease in these patients 1.

Key Points

  • Statins are safe to use in NASH: The risk of hepatotoxicity is low, and statins can be used to treat dyslipidemia in patients with NASH 1.
  • Statins can reduce cardiovascular risk: Statins are effective in reducing LDL-C and preventing atherosclerotic CVD in patients with NASH 1.
  • More research is needed: While statins may have benefits for liver disease in NASH, more research is needed to fully understand their effects and to determine the best treatment strategies for these patients 1.

The FDA Drug Labels for atorvastatin (PO) do not address this question.

From the Research

Atorvastatin in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

  • Atorvastatin has been shown to reduce hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in NASH patients, as demonstrated in a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2.
  • The study found that atorvastatin significantly reduced hepatic steatosis (-22%), the number of aggregated inflammatory cells in the liver (-80%), and hepatic fibrosis (-92%) compared to Western-type diet-fed mice.
  • Another study published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy found that atorvastatin therapy induced a significant reduction of hepatocellular damage, even in animals that continuously received a hyperlipidemic diet 3.
  • A prospective study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology found that atorvastatin was effective and safe in NASH patients with hyperlipidemia, reducing serum cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl-transferase levels 4.

Mechanisms of Atorvastatin in NASH

  • Atorvastatin has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, and antifibrotic effects, which may contribute to its beneficial effects in NASH 5.
  • The drug may also prevent the accumulation of free cholesterol in the form of cholesterol crystals, which are potent inducers of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, leading to reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines 2.

Clinical Evidence

  • A review of the literature published in Current Pharmaceutical Design found that statins, including atorvastatin, may be beneficial in the management of NAFLD and NASH, reducing liver-related and cardiovascular disease events 6.
  • Another review published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine provided an overview of the current evidence on the use of statins in NASH, highlighting their potential role in modulating the disease 5.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Effect of atorvastatin and diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score in hyperlipidemic chickens.

Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2010

Research

Ursodeoxycholic acid and atorvastatin in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie, 2003

Research

Statins in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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