( A new study has demonstrated the potent...)Statins may Help Treat Hepatitis C Patients,Health

A new study has demonstrated the potential of statins, used in important cholesterol management therapies, for improving the management of hepatitis C .

Statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors form a class of hypolipidemic agents, used as pharmaceutical agents to lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Two studies were conducted by a team of researchers led by Ted Bader at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City to see the effect of statins.

As part of the first study, researchers conducted a 14-day study looking at the antiviral effect of fluvastatin (FLV) in vivo, in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who take statins, to see whether they experience any improvements in alanine transaminase (ALT, liver enzymes) levels.

The researchers reported the total bilirubin (TB, yellow breakdown product) and ALT results and compared the findings to an existing hepatitis C registry data.

Researchers found that three patients with abnormal ALTs at baseline experienced significant improvement and nine patients who started with normal ALTs stayed normal.

In addition, there were no significant changes in TB levels. No liver problems were noted despite FLV doses that were up to four times the highest FDA-approved dose.

Scientists also examined the existing HCV registry and noted both the number of patients who improved their abnormal ALT levels after statin therapy and the number of patients who maintained their normal ALT levels after initiation of statin therapy. Of the abnormal ALT group, 12 had improved ALT and one stayed unchanged. Of the 47 beginning in the normal range, 45 maintained their ALTs.

"This is the first report of prospectively using fluvastatin in HCV patients. Two remarkable observations were made and data not only supports the lack of harm in this situation, but also seems to suggest a possible salutary effect t
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Statins reduce heart attacks
2. Statins reduce risks for angioplasty patients
3. Statins Found To Be Helpful For Patients With Arthritis
4. Long-Term Benefits Of Statins Questioned
5. Statins Not Effective In Treating Calcific Aortic Stenosis
6. Statins Gives New Hope for Increased Survival Rate of Heart Failure Patients
7. The Effects of Statins Questioned
8. Statins Taken For Reducing Cholesterol Found To Reduce Death Rate Associated With Heart Attack As Well
9. Study Finds No Link Between Statins And Breast Cancer Risk
10. Statins Reduce Deaths And Strokes After Carotid Surgery
11. Statins reduces cardiovascular risk but no cancer risk.