Effect of Combination Therapy with Atorvastatin and Ursodeoxycholic Acid on the Course of Ischemic Heart Disease with Co-Existent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Obesity
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is considered as an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases which plays an important role in the development of ischemic heart disease. The drug most frequently used for treating this comorbidity is atorvastatin which favours better survival outcomes and is essential in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Ursodeoxycholic acid is prescribed as an alternative therapy for ischemic heart disease with co-existent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity to eliminate statin side effects. The use of ursodeoxycholic acid as a hepatoprotector in comprehensive basic treatment contributes to the improvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with ischemic heart disease as well as the increase in treatment efficacy; it improves the functional status of the liver affecting the major pathogenic mechanisms of the disease.The objective of the research was to study the effect of combined hypolipidemic therapy with atorvastatin and ursodeoxycholic acid on the indices of blood lipids, liver transaminase levels, functional status of the liver and the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with ischemic heart disease and obesity.Materials and methods. 20 patients with ischemic heart disease, co-existent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity were examined. They received ursodeoxycholic acid in addition to atorvastatin for four weeks. All the patients underwent clinical tests, visceral ultrasonography, blood lipid test, liver transaminase test and 13C-methacetin breath test.Results. The study revealed a significant decrease in the level of the pro-atherogenic fractions of blood lipids (р<0.01) as well as an improved functional status of the liver due to a significant increase in metabolic capacity of the liver and cumulative dose on the 40th and 120th minutes after ursodeoxycholic acid administration (р<0.01).Conclusions. The use of ursodeoxycholic acid in addition to atorvastatin in patients with ischemic heart disease, co-existent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity makes it possible to avoid the adverse effect of hypolipidemic therapy on the functional status of the liver.