Comparative Effect of Insulin Sensitizers and Statin on Metabolic Profile and Ultrasonographical Score in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder involving fat accumulation in the liver. The initial management for patients with NAFLD includes lifestyle modification and weight loss in overweight or obese patients. Aim: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of insulin sensitizers and statin in the patients of NAFLD. Materials and Methods: The study included 98 patients diagnosed with NAFLD on USG (Ultrasonography) abdomen, divided into three Groups randomly and administered Metformin (Group I), Rosuvastatin (Group II) or Pioglitazone (Group III) along with dietary intervention and lifestyle modification. Their Body Mass Index (BMI), liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, USG scores for fatty liver were done and followed up at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 week for change in above parameters. Results: Out of the three Groups, Group ii showed a maximum improvements in usg scores for NAFLD (p<0.001) and fasting lipid profile. Group II also showed maximum derangement of liver enzymes at 24 weeks though none of the subjects had more than three times elevation of liver enzymes. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin may be an effective therapy as add on treatment to dietary and lifestyle intervention in patients of NAFLD. As an add-on treatment Rosuvastatin was superior to Pioglitazone or Metformin and acute decompensation is unlikely with this drug. Metformin was not effective as add on therapy for NAFLD, rather rapid weight loss in short period of time resulted in worsening of hepatic steatosis.

Keywords

• nafld
• metformin
• pioglitazone
• rosuvastatin
• pharmacotherapy