The effect of a silybin-vitamin e-phospholipid complex on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study

Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Sep;52(9):2387-95. doi: 10.1007/s10620-006-9703-2. Epub 2007 Apr 5.

Abstract

Oxidative stress leads to chronic liver damage. Silybin has been conjugated with vitamin E and phospholipids to improve its antioxidant activity. Eighty-five patients were divided into 2 groups: those affected by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (group A) and those with HCV-related chronic hepatitis associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (group B), nonresponders to treatment. The treatment consisted of silybin/vitamin E/phospholipids. After treatment, group A showed a significant reduction in ultrasonographic scores for liver steatosis. Liver enzyme levels, hyperinsulinemia, and indexes of liver fibrosis showed an improvement in treated individuals. A significant correlation among indexes of fibrosis, body mass index, insulinemia, plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, degree of steatosis, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was observed. Our data suggest that silybin conjugated with vitamin E and phospholipids could be used as a complementary approach to the treatment of patients with chronic liver damage.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fatty Liver / blood
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phospholipids / therapeutic use*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Silybin
  • Silybum marianum
  • Silymarin / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Transaminases / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Phospholipids
  • Silymarin
  • Vitamin E
  • Silybin
  • Transaminases