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Therapeutic Research
- Authors: Shuichi Sezai1, et al.
Abstract
Background:Bezafibrate has been reported to be useful in the treatment of liver dysfunction. Previously we reported that bezafibrate has also choleretic action. Bezafibrate drives this choleretic action along with biliary excretion of glutathione(GSH). Since ezetimibe has also been reported to be effective against fatty liver, we evaluated the effects of bezafibrate and ezetimibe as combination therapy in patients with dyslipidemia complicated by liver dysfunction. Methods:The study included 20 patients (13 men and 7 women). All patients received bezafibrate(400 mg administered as two 200 mg doses, one each in the morning and evening)and ezetimibe(10 mg at bedtime)administered daily over a period of 6 months. Eight of these 20 patients were previously on statin treatment and switched to the combination treatment. Results:Mean AST was 48 IU/L before combination treatment and decreased to 32 IU/L after 6 months of treatment, with significant decreases evident after 4 and 6 months. Mean ALT level was 63 IU/L before treatment and decreased to 34 IU/L, with a significant decrease evident from 1 month onward. Mean γ-GTP was 63 IU/L before treatment and decreased to 44 IU/L, with a significant decrease evident from 2 months onward. Mean TG levels were significantly decreased after 1 month of treatment, with a 46.3% decrease after 6 months. Mean HDL-C levels increases significantly at 2 months and 6 months, with a 24.8% increase after 6 months. In the 8 patients who were switched from statin monotherapy to bezafibrate plus ezetimibe combination therapy, mean levels of AST, ALT, and γ-GTP decreased, although not significantly. Mean HDL-C increased by 29.1% after 6 months, with significant increases after 5 and 6 months. Conclusion:Combination therapy using bezafibrate and ezetimibe is useful in the treatment of the patients with dyslipidemia complicated by liver dysfunction.
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