Low cholesterol is associated with acute liver failure

This study was published in PLoS One 2014 Jul 15;9(7):e102351

 

Study title and authors:

Low levels of blood lipids are associated with etiology and lethal outcome in acute liver failure.

Manka P, Olliges V, Bechmann LP, Schlattjan M, Jochum C, Treckmann JW, Saner FH, Gerken G, Syn WK, Canbay A.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25025159

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels with acute liver failure. The study included 89 acute liver failure patients.

The study found:
(a) The acute liver failure patients had low cholesterol, 121 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L).
(b) The acute liver failure patients had low levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 63 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L). 
(c) The acute liver failure patients had low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 16 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L).
(d) Cholesterol levels were a significant 41% lower in patients who died or required a liver transplant compared to patients who spontaneously recovered.
(e) LDL cholesterol levels were a significant 45% lower in patients who died or required a liver transplant compared to patients who spontaneously recovered.
(f) HDL cholesterol levels were a significant 61% lower in patients who died or required a liver transplant compared to patients who spontaneously recovered.
(g) Triglyceride levels were a significant 13% lower in patients who died or required a liver transplant compared to patients who spontaneously recovered.

The study reveals that low cholesterol is associated with acute liver failure.