"Statin drugs are widely used to manage high cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. But in a new review of more than  studies researchers cite reductions in liver inflammation and improvements in other related factors as reasons why statins make good candidates for treating chronic liver disease. The article httpsdoi.org.ajpgi.. is published ahead of print in the American Journal of PhysiologyGastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. Reducing cholesterol can have a positive effect on many chronic liver disorders including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as well as in biliary disorders. In some studies the research team found that statins reduced inflammatory molecules that are typically elevated with liver disease and improved inflammation in the endothelium cells that line the blood vessels. Statin use may also lead to Decreased fibrosis hardening or scarring of tissue Less development of fatty liver Slowed or halted spread of hepatitis C virus Improvement of portal hypertension high blood pressure in the livers blood vessels  Destruction of existing liver tumor cells and  Reduced risk of developing liver cancer. The researchers acknowledge that statin drugs can contribute to liver damage in some people but for people with advanced liver disease statins are costeffective generally welltolerated by patients and the benefits of statin treatment in most patients outweigh their potential hepatotoxic risk. Read the full article Rationale for the use of statins in liver disease httpsdoi.org.ajpgi.. published ahead of print in the American Journal of PhysiologyGastrointestinal and Liver Physiology httpajpgi.physiology.org. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS To schedule an interview with a member of the research team please contact the APS Communications Office mailtocommunicationstheaps.org or . Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room http Physiology is the study of how molecules cells tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in  the American Physiological Society APS was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than  members and publishes  peerreviewed journals with a worldwide readership."