Sistema gastrointestinal y digestivo

Abstracto

The Association of Silymarin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and Selenomethionine for the Treatment of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Romano Adriana, Curcio Annalisa, Di Nicola Antonio, Grassi Orazio, Schiaroli Donatella, Nocera Giuseppe Fabrizio and Pironti Michele

Objective: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is an emerging disease of metabolic origin characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. There are currently no specific drugs for the treatment of NAFLD, even if some pharmacological molecules have showed beneficial effects. Many studies reported that silymarin, vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and selenium can be effective in NAFLD. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a food supplement composed by silymarin, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenomethionine (Medronys epato®) in patients with NAFLD.
Methods: We enrolled 151 patients with mild/moderate/severe NAFLD. The patients were divided into 2 groups. A group of patients (n=80) received 1 capsule a day of Medronys epato® for 90 days. The second group (n=71) received placebo. The patients were evaluated at 3 times: baseline (T0), after 45 days of treatment (T1) and after 90 days of treatment (T2). At each step an evaluation of the following criteria was carried out: a) Blood parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and ferritin); b) Liver ultrasound scan; c) Side effects; and d) Patient’s judgment.
Results: After 45 days and after 90 days of treatment, the food supplement composed by silymarin, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenomethionine (Medronys epato®) showed greater efficacy than placebo by decreasing liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and ferritin. The patients of Medronys epato® group improved hepatic steatosis on ultrasound examination, while the patients of placebo group did not improve their ultrasound examination. No adverse effects were reported in either group.
Conclusion: The complex silymarin, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenomethionine (Medronysepato®) improves blood parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and ferritin) and symptoms in patients with NAFLD, with high tolerability and satisfaction of patients.