Effects of silymarin on reducing liver aminotransferases in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases

ABSTRACT

The hepatoprotective effects of silymarin have been confirmed by various researchers worldwide; however few studies are available about the therapeutic impact of silymarin on the level of aminotransferases in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]. Our purpose is to determine whether silymarin improves the serum level of aminotransferases in patients with NASH. This was a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial performed on 100 patients with NASH. Subjects were randomized to receive silymarin [140 mg/q12h] for three months or placebo, given in the same manner. A blood sample was drawn at baseline [before treatment] and after completion of the treatment schedule to assess serum aminotransferase levels. We measured body mass index [BMI] before and after administration of the treatments for both groups of patients. There were insignificant changes in BMI for both groups. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level in the case group significantly changed from 84.06 to 68.54 IU/mL following treatment with silymarin [p<0.001], however this change was not significant in the control group. The mean serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST] level in the case group significantly decreased from 71.94 to 54.70 IU/mL after treatment with silymarin. This change in the placebo group was not significant [from 62.94 to 61.56 IU/mL]. Administration of silymarin can effectively reduce liver aminotransferases without any changes in BMI in patients with NASH disease