Nseir et al. [1] discuss the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Some comments may be of interest.
A post hoc analysis of the Greek Atorvastatin and Coronary Heart Disease Evaluation (GREACE) study included 437 patients with CAD, dyslipidemia (low-density cholesterol >2.6 mmol/l) and NAFLD [2]. NAFLD was assumed in patients with moderately elevated transaminase activities (<3× the upper limit of normal) together with relevant ultrasonographic findings, after excluding other causes of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) [2]. Patients with abnormal LFTs treated with statins had fewer cardiovascular (CV) events compared with those not on statins (68% relative risk reduction, p < 0.0001) [2]. Interestingly, the CV benefit from statin treatment was greater (p = 0.0074) in patients with abnormal than in those with normal baseline LFTs (39% relative risk reduction, p < 0.0001) [2]. Transaminase activities were reduced in patients treated with statins while further rises were noted in those not on statins [2]. However, these promising findings have limitations, including the post hoc analysis and small number of patients. Furthermore, liver biopsy, the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of NAFLD, was not performed.
We agree with Nseir et al. [1] that non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) may play a role in atherogenesis. In this context, NEFAs inhibit the synthesis and accelerate the degradation of prostacyclin (PGI2) [3, 4]. PGI2 is a vasodilator and platelet activation inhibitor. NEFAs also decrease vascular adenosine diphosphate (ADP)ase activity, thereby adversely affecting another platelet inhibitory process [5].
References
Nseir W, Shalata A, Marmor A, Assy N. Mechanisms linking nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with coronary artery disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2011;56:3439–3449.
Athyros VG, Tziomalos K, Gossios TD, et al. Safety and efficacy of long-term statin treatment for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease and abnormal liver tests in the Greek Atorvastatin and Coronary Heart Disease Evaluation (GREACE) study: a post hoc analysis. Lancet. 2010;376:1916–1922.
Jeremy JY, Mikhailidis DP, Dandona P. Simulating the diabetic environment modifies in vitro prostacyclin synthesis. Diabetes. 1983;32:217–221.
Mikhailidis DP, Mikhailidis AM, Barradas MA, Dandona P. Effect of nonesterified fatty acids on the stability of prostacyclin activity. Metabolism. 1983;32:717–721.
Barradas MA, Mikhailidis DP, Dandona P. The effect of non-esterified fatty acids on vascular ADP-degrading enzyme activity. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1987;3:9–19.
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Kostapanos, M.S., Athyros, V.G., Karagiannis, A. et al. Mechanisms Linking Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Coronary Artery Disease. Dig Dis Sci 57, 1109 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2066-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2066-y