The Medical Journal of Basrah University

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: to evaluate the effect of lovastatin and simvastatin on liver function tests in a number of hyperlipidaemic
patients.
Design: case control study.
Setting: the study was conducted in Al-Salam Hospital in Mosul during the period from July 2003 to July 2004.
Participants: forty-two patients taking lovastatin and fifty-three patients taking simvastatin. Another fifty,
apparently healthy subjects, were also involved as a control group.
Intervention: ALT, AST and ALP activities and bilirubin concentrations of patients on lovastatin, simvastatin and
control group were compared.
Main outcome measures: measurement of serum of ALT, AST and ALP activities and serum bilirubin concentration
in lovastatin, simvastatin and control groups.
Results: results of the study revealed a minor elevation of ALT, AST and ALP activities and bilirubin concentrations
above the upper normal limit values in a number of participants taking lovastatin or simvastatin therapy. A
significant elevation of ALT, AST and bilirubin in the lovastatin group compared with the control group and a
significant elevation of ALT and bilirubin in the simvastatin group when also compared with the control group were
found. Stratification of the patients according to age, duration of treatment and dose, revealed a good correlation
between some of the hepatic parameters and the age, duration of treatment and dose, though some of these elevations
were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: therapy with lovastatin or simvastatin is associated with a mild effect on the liver and the effect is related
to the variables of age, duration of therapy and dose. Periodic monitoring of biochemical hepatic parameters during
therapy with lovastatin and simvastatin may be of value to observe any serious elevation of these parameters.