Vitamin E May Provide Benefits for Liver Disease Patients

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Vitamin E May Provide Benefits for Liver Disease Patients

Vitamin E may help treat patients with chronic liver disease, according to a recent report published in the online version of The New England Journal of Medicine.

The report outlined the results of a 96-week study of 247 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis who did not have diabetes. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease and currently affects more than 10 million Americans. As the disease progresses, it can cause scarring of the liver and decreased liver function.

In the study, patients were chosen at random to receive a daily dose of Vitamin E, a drug known as pioglitazone (Actos) or placebo. The patients receiving Vitamin E showed significant improvement in their condition when compared to those receiving pioglitazone or placebo.

Statistical results of the study show that the patients who received placebo experienced a 19 percent rate of improvement, while those who received pioglitazone experienced a 34 percent rate of improvement. The patients who received Vitamin E experienced the greatest rate of improvement, with a 43 percent improvement rate.

While patients who received Actos did experience a greater percentage of improvement than those who received placebo, the medication was associated with large amounts of weight gain throughout the course of the study. The patients who received Vitamin E, on the other hand, did not experience any significant side effects.

The study was launched as a result of past evidence suggesting the potential benefits of Vitamin E and Actos in the treatment of liver disease patients. The results of the study carry positive implications for the future treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition for which no medication is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The researchers behind the study warned that due to the potential for relapse upon discontinuation of treatment, Vitamin E would only provide possible benefits if taken indefinitely. The results did not attest to the potential long-term side effects of Vitamin E treatment and future studies are needed to address the consequences of extensive Vitamin E use.

Additional information about drugs and drug side effects may be found on DrugWatch.com.

http://www.drugwatch.com/news/2010/04/29/vitamin-e-may-provide-benefits-liver-disease-patients/