Effects of rosuvastatin (added to hypocaloric diet) on serum periostin, adiponectin, proinflammtory cytokines levels and hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with dyslipidemia

Abstract Objective Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with dyslipidemia. Rosuvastatin exhibits greater efficacy in the treatment of dyslipidemia as compared to other statins, so we aimed to explore its effect on NAFLD patients. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study (6-month) to evaluate NAFLD patients with dyslipidemia receiving rosuvastatin with hypocaloric diet (N=81) or hypocaloric diet alone (N=114). Using propensity score matching, patients (N=76) were divided into two equal groups. Serum levels of periostin, adiponectin, TNF α and IL-6 were determined using ELISA kits; hepatic steatosis was evaluated by ultrasound; hepatic fibrosis was assessed by NAFLD fibrosis and BARD scores at 0 and 6 months, and liver enzymes were assessed at 0, 2, 4, 6 months of study treatment. Results Rosuvastatin, in addition to hypocaloric diet diminished hepatic steatosis (p=0.011); decreased serum periostin (p=0.003), TNF α (p=0.012), IL-6 levels (p=0.010); increased serum adiponectin levels (p=0.028), and improved NFS, BARD scores (pu003e0.05). Alteration in grades of hepatic steatosis were found significantly correlated with change in serum levels of periostin (rs=0.256, p=0.025) and adiponectin (rs=0.282, p=0.014), while association was insignificant with the changes in serum TNF-α (rs=0.148, p=0.202) and IL-6 levels (rs=0.127, p=0.274). Conclusion Treatment with rosuvastatin, in addition to the hypocaloric diet, resulted in a significant decrease in serum periostin levels; ameliorated grades of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis scores, indicating that rosuvastatin, in addition to hypocaloric diet may be effective treatment for NAFLD with dyslipidemia.