The Effect of a Silybin-Vitamin E-Phospholipid Complex on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Pilot Study

Oxidative stress leads to chronic liver damage. Silybin has been conjugated with vitamin E and phospholipids to improve its antioxidant activity. Eighty-five patients were divided into 2 groups: those affected by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (group A) and those with HCV-related chronic hepatitis associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (group B), nonresponders to treatment. The treatment consisted of silybin/vitamin E/phospholipids. After treatment, group A showed a significant reduction in ultrasonographic scores for liver steatosis. Liver enzyme levels, hyperinsulinemia, and indexes of liver fibrosis showed an improvement in treated individuals. A significant correlation among indexes of fibrosis, body mass index, insulinemia, plasma levels of transforming growth factor-β, tumor necrosis factor-α, degree of steatosis, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was observed. Our data suggest that silybin conjugated with vitamin E and phospholipids could be used as a complementary approach to the treatment of patients with chronic liver damage. Other members of the Real Sud Group: L. Cimino, Federico II University, Naples; V. De Girolamo and A. Marone, Ascalesi Hospital, Naples; C. De Stefano, S. Carlo Hospital, Potenza; G. De Stefano, Madonna delle Grazie Hospital, Matera; D. Disalvo and B. Provenzano, Villa D’Agri Hospital, Potenza; P. Esposito and A. Simonetti, Second University, Naples; M. D. Iannece and R. Pempinello, Cotugno Hospital, Naples; R. Iorio, Giugliano Hospital, Naples; S. Monastra and M. Di Pierro, S. Gennaro Hospital, Naples.