Severe hyperlipidemia associated with drug-induced cholestatic liver disease: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The global incidence of hyperlipidemia has been increasing on an annual basis, concomitant with improvements in living standards and dietary changes. Hyperlipidemia is closely associated with the development of numerous diseases, and in clinical cases, drug-induced cholestasis may lead to elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a phenomenon known as secondary hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia is recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, effective monitoring and control of lipid levels is crucial in the management of patients diagnosed with drug-induced cholestatic liver disease.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a special case of refractory hyperlipidemia associated with cholestatic liver disease in a 49-year-old woman.

CONCLUSION

In the treatment of clinical cases of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease and hyperlipidemia, it is essential for medical professionals to consider the patient’s overall condition, formulate an individualized treatment plan, and closely monitor the patient’s biochemical indices and clinical symptoms to ensure treatment efficacy and prognosis.

Key Words: Drug-induced liver injury; Cholestasis; Hyperlipidemia; Glucocorticosteroid; Case report

Core Tip: Hyperlipidemia is closely associated with the development of multiple diseases and is widely recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In clinical settings, drug-induced cholestatic liver disease can increase blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a condition known as secondary hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, lipid overload can exacerbate hepatic oxidative stress. Therefore, accurate recognition and management of hyperlipidemia are crucial for systemic health and the functioning of multiple organs.

INTRODUCTION

Hyperlipidemia, characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, impacting heart function and circulation. One of the mechanisms by which hyperlipidemia exerts its deleterious effects is the release of circulating microparticles (MPs) during dyslipidemia. These MPs have been shown to modulate endothelial cell function, contributing to vascular inflammation and damage. In a study involving dyslipidemic Psammomys obesus, it was observed that MPs isolated from animals on a high-energy diet led to a significant decrease in endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and an increase in reactive oxygen species production. This suggests that MPs play a dual role in vascular function by acting as vectors of bioactive information that contribute to endothelial dysfunction and inflammation[1].

Furthermore, hyperlipidemia is closely linked to the formation of blood clots, a process that can lead to thrombosis and other cardiovascular complications. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a condition often associated with elevated lipid levels, has been shown to affect platelet-driven contraction of blood clots. In vitro studies and rat models of HHcy demonstrated that homocysteine enhances clot contraction at moderate levels but suppresses it at higher concentrations. This is likely due to homocysteine-induced platelet activation followed by exhaustion, which can lead to larger and more obstructive clots. The study highlights the complex role of HHcy in modulating clot contraction, which may serve as an underappreciated mechanism in thrombosis[2].

In addition to the direct effects of lipids on blood vessels and clot formation, hyperlipidemia also influences blood viscosity, which is a critical factor in circulatory health. Alterations in blood rheology, such as increased viscosity, can enhance the risk of thrombosis by affecting the flow properties of blood and the shear forces acting on endothelial cells. This relationship is further complicated by drug-induced conditions that exacerbate hyperviscosity and thrombotic risk, such as the use of oral contraceptives and chemotherapy. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the rheological properties of blood in the context of hyperlipidemia and its associated cardiovascular risks[3].

Excessive fat intake and abnormalities in the synthesis and metabolism of lipoproteins can lead to dyslipidemia, which can be classified into primary and secondary according to the cause of the disease. Dyslipidemia caused by other diseases and known causes is known as secondary hyperlipidemia. Common diseases and medications that can cause this condition include hypothyroidism, cholestatic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, atypical antipsychotic drugs, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and others. Drug-induced cholestasis is a specific type of liver injury that is usually caused by the direct toxic effects or allergic reactions of drugs or their metabolites on hepatocytes. This condition can result in obstruction of bile flow, leading to bile stasis, which can develop into intrahepatic cholestasis in severe cases. Hepatic lipid metabolism is regulated by the uptake and export of fatty acids, de novo lipogenesis, and the utilization of fat by β-oxidation. Altering the balance between these pathways leads to hepatic lipid accumulation, which can progress to worsen liver disease through long-term activation of inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. The relationship between cholestatic liver disease and hyperlipidemia is complex and may involve multiple mechanisms. For these reasons, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hyperlipidemia’s affects is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies to manage hyperlipidemia-related diseases, in order to mitigate and prevent the risk of the diseases.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

Progressive yellowing of the skin and sclera for 1 week, accompanied by yellowish urine, lighter stool, skin itching, and fatigue.

History of present illness

A 49-year-old woman presented to a local hospital on November 25, 2023 with the above symptoms. Initial lab tests showed elevated hepatobiliary enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 378 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 396 U/L, total bilirubin (TBIL) 229.8 μmol/L, direct bilirubin (DBIL) 206.8 μmol/L, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) 591 U/L, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 649 U/L)] and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol 14.35 mmol/L). Autoimmune, viral hepatitis, and tumor markers were negative. Imaging (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)/computed tomography) suggested biliary stenosis, mild obstruction, and liver lesions without cirrhosis; duodenal biopsy showed chronic inflammation. Liver function deteriorated (e.g., TBIL 259.1 μmol/L) despite liver-protective drugs [glycyrrhizic acid preparations, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and S-adenosylmethionine] by December 6. She was diagnosed with drug-cholestatic hepatitis via Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method and treated with methylprednisolone, which improved TBIL (101.5 μmol/L by December 25) but caused rebound on dose tapering, prompting continued high-dose methylprednisolone until transfer to our hospital on January 1, 2024 (switched to oral methylprednisolone).

History of past illness

Repeated use of traditional Chinese medicinal remedies in the year prior to onset; no other remarkable medical history.

Personal and family history

The patient denied any family history of genetic diseases.

Physical examination

General appearance: The patient appeared fatigued but conscious and cooperative. No acute distress was observed.

Skin and mucous membranes: Marked jaundice was noted in the skin and sclera. Skin itching was reported, with no visible scratch marks or rashes. Palmar erythema and spider angiomas were absent.

Abdomen: The abdomen was soft and non-tender on palpation. Mild tenderness was present in the right upper quadrant. No hepatosplenomegaly or abdominal masses were palpable. Bowel sounds were normal. No ascites was detected by shifting dullness or fluid wave.

Other systems: No lymphadenopathy was found. Cardiopulmonary auscultation revealed no abnormalities. Neurological examination showed no signs of encephalopathy.

Laboratory examinations

Liver function: The patient had elevated ALT (378 U/L → 456 U/L → 132.9U/L), AST (396 U/L → 325 U/L → 136.0 U/L), TBIL (229.8 μmol/L → 259.1 μmol/L → 60.9 μmol/L→ 84.3 μmol/L), DBIL (206.8 μmol/L → 226.2 μmol/L → 51.6 μmol/L), GGT (591 U/L → 595 U/L → 306 U/L → 197.2 U/L), and ALP (649 U/L → 696 U/L → 188.9 U/L → 192.9 U/L), as well as decreased albumin (33.3 g/L → 33.5 g/L → 34.3 g/L). She had a normal prothrombin time activity (84%). Changes in these indicators are detailed in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Changes of biochemistry parameters during hospitalization. The patient had worsening liver function over the first 7 days after receiving common liver-protecting medications, then the glucocorticosteroid therapy was performed, resulting in a significant improvement. Although we had gradually tapered the hormones due to the fact that her serum bilirubin was plateauing and lipid levels were too high, we still observed that those levels were slowly trending down after the glucocorticosteroid therapy was completely stopped. AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; DBIL: Direct bilirubin; ALB: Albumin; GGT: Gamma-glutamyl transferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; TBIL: Total bilirubin.

Lipids: The patient’s lipid levels include: Total cholesterol 14.35 mmol/L → 50.59 mmol/L → 6.28 mmol/L → 6.47 mmol/L, triglycerides 2.41 mmol/L→ 2.54 mmol/L → normal, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 7.92 mmol/L, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 36.75 mmol/L (refractory to lipid-lowering drugs). Changes in these indicators are detailed in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 2 Changes of lipid profile during hospitalization. The patient had persistent hyperlipidemia during the entire observational period. Her lipid levels all remained at levels above 10 times higher than normal after receiving glucocorticosteroids. TC: Total cholesterol; TG: Triglycerides; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Table 1 Changes of lipid profile during hospitalization.

	March 1, 2024	February 22, 2024	February 17, 2024	February 2, 2024	January 30, 2024	January 26, 2024	January 22, 2024	January 15, 2024	January 4, 2024	November 25, 2023
TC (mmol/L)	47.28	50.23	50.42	50.72	51.28	51.03	51.46	50.59	46.57	14.35
TG (mmol/L)	4.74	8.99	4.09	5.55	5.59	9.26	4.01	2.54	8.36	2.41
HDL-C (mmol/L)	6.07	7.23	7.4	7.91	7.32	7.87	8.02	7.92	7.15	-
LDL-C (mmol/L)	36.71	37.47	37.79	37.72	38.34	37.02	37.15	36.75	35.3	-

TC: Total cholesterol; TG: Triglycerides; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Autoimmune/viral tests: The patient had an antinuclear antibody titer of 1:100; normal immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin G4; and negative antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, hepatitis A-E, treponema pallidum, and human immunodeficiency virus.

Others: The patient had normal tumor markers, blood glucose, ammonia, and electrolytes. Genetic testing excluded familial hypercholesterolemia/urea cycle disorders.

Imaging examinations

MRCP and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography: Localized stenosis of the common hepatic duct, mild low-level biliary obstruction, slightly thickened common bile duct walls, suspicious nodules in the duodenal area, cholecystitis, and diffuse liver lesions were observed. There was no signs of cirrhosis (local hospital, November 2023).

Abdominal ultrasound: There were no abnormal changes after methylprednisolone treatment (local hospital, December 25, 2023).

MRCP and abdominal contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: There was no evidence of cirrhosis, biliary dilatation/obstruction, or definite malignant lesions (our hospital, January 2024).

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis.

TREATMENT

Initial management: The patient was administered with liver-protecting medications (glycyrrhizic acid, UDCA, and S-adenosylmethionine), but her liver function deteriorated (local hospital, November 25, 2023 to December 6, 2023).

Anti-inflammatory therapy: The patient was diagnosed with drug-cholestatic hepatitis via Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method and treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, which led to improved bilirubin and appetite by December 25, 2023 (local hospital, from December 6, 2023).

Dose adjustment and transfer: Liver function rebounded on methylprednisolone tapering (suspected drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis), so high-dose methylprednisolone was maintained. She was transferred to our hospital with switch to oral methylprednisolone (January 1, 2024).

Management of hyperlipidemia: Severe hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol 50.59 mmol/L) was unresponsive to fenofibrate, ezetimibe, or a strict vegan diet (our hospital, January 2024).

Glucocorticoid withdrawal and confirmation: Methylprednisolone was gradually reduced (transaminases improved) and stopped on January 22 (bilirubin 84.3 μmol/L). Liver biopsy (Figure 3) on January 31, 2024 confirmed drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis (no autoimmune liver disease).

Figure 3 Histological findings of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy stained with hematoxylin and eosin (magnification × 10). A histological examination revealed severe lobular hepatitis, accompanied by bile duct injury and intrahepatic cholestasis, and a loss of bile duct structure around portal tracts with a small amount of visible lymphocytes and plasma cell infiltration, which was believed to be the result of drug-related liver injury.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

On March 1, after the last liver function review (ALT 132.9 U/L, AST 136.0 U/L, TBIL 60.9 μmol/L, DBIL 51.6 μmol/L, albumin 34.3 g/L, GGT 306.0 U/L, and ALP 188.9 U/L), the patient was discharged from our hospital and continued regular liver-protecting medications, with monitored liver function improving steadily. As of July 26, the patient exhibited liver function abnormality, characterized by elevated GGT and ALP levels, with total cholesterol dropping to 6.28 mmol/L and triglycerides returning to normal. The therapeutic regimen of UDCA and statin therapy was maintained. The patient was regularly rechecked every 4 weeks, and the most recent liver function review on December 29, with the exception of elevated GGT (197.2 U/L) and ALP (192.9 U/L) levels, the patient’s liver function remained within normal parameters, as indicated by a total cholesterol level of 6.47 mmol/L. Furthermore, during the monitoring period, blood glucose, blood ammonia, and electrolytes also remained within the normal range.

DISCUSSION

For this study, the patient underwent routine examinations, including a complete blood count, urinalysis, and tests for liver and kidney function, thyroid function, coagulation function, lipid profile, blood glucose, electrolyte levels, autoimmune liver disease antibodies, tumor markers, and hepatitis virology. These tests were performed to determine the cause of cholestatic liver disease. Blood samples were collected in the morning after an overnight fast and analyzed using a Hitachi 7600 fully automated biochemical analyzer to evaluate liver function and other biochemical indicators.

Patients who meet the definition of hyperlipidemia should first be evaluated for secondary causes. If there are no secondary causes, they should be further evaluated for a significant family history of high level of either LDL-C or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.When both are present, it is necessary to analyze whether the disease is monogenic or polygenic.

Risk factors that may cause hyperlipidemia include a high-fat diet, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/minute/1.73 m²), alcohol intake > 30 g/d, and the use of certain medications [e.g., oestrogens, progestogens, corticosteroids (in small doses), thiazide diuretics, atypical antipsychotics, retinoids, and interferons][4]. The presence of the aforementioned factors in isolation may not be sufficient to cause a significant increase in cholesterol levels. However, when considered in conjunction with a background of multiple endogenous risk genes, these triggers may promote the development of hyperlipidemia. The elevated serum cholesterol and LDL-C levels associated with cholestatic liver disease are due to multiple impairments in cholesterol regulation, including increased production of free cholesterol, and the development of chronic cholestasis typified by the formation of abnormal lipoproteins that are not effectively removed.

Pathophysiological mechanism of hyperlipidemia caused by drug-induced cholestatic liver disease in this case

A review of domestic and international literature suggests that the pathophysiological mechanism of hyperlipidemia caused by drug-induced cholestatic liver disease in this case may be related to the following.

Glucocorticoids: The body’s release of endogenous glucocorticoids during acute drug-induced liver injury has been shown to promote the synthesis and release of hepatic interleukin-10. Through the action of their homologous nuclear receptors, glucocorticoids have been observed to stimulate the expression of metabolic genes while inhibiting the pro-inflammatory gene network, thus exacerbating the hypercholesterolemia associated with acute cholestasis[5]. Conversely, persistent elevation of plasma glucocorticoid levels (hypercortisolism), a significant risk factor for metabolic complications, can further result in hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia[6]. Furthermore, severe hyperlipidemia has been demonstrated to exacerbate intrahepatic cholestasis via a variety of pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and enterohepatic circulation of bile acids[7]. In this case, during the early stages of acute, drug-induced cholestasis, endogenous glucocorticoid levels increased in response to the enhanced hepatic inflammatory state. However, subsequent treatment with exogenous hormones led to accelerated lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation[8], which further aggravated the level of secondary hyperlipidemia.

Disorders of bile acid metabolism: Drug-induced cholestatic liver disease is characterized by the interruption of bile flow, reduced secretion of bile acids as a result of the obstruction, and reflux of cholesterol and bile salts into the circulation. This leads to an increase in biliary lipoproteins and further affects cholesterol metabolism and excretion. This is based on enhancing liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity and inhibiting cytochrome P450 family 7 activity, which leads to increased cholesterol synthesis and impaired bile acid conversion. The result is abnormal basal metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. In the early stages of drug reactions, elevated concentrations of intrahepatic bile acids stimulate the synthesis of bile phospholipids. As cholestasis becomes chronic, however, impaired bile acid excretion prevents the maintenance of normal plasma cholesterol levels and the effective clearance of abnormal lipoproteins. Ultimately, this leads to the accumulation of bile phospholipids and free cholesterol in plasma. Concurrently, bile acids have been demonstrated to interfere with the catabolism of glucocorticoids in the liver, affect various enzymatic reactions, stimulate the production of steroid hormones, and further exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders[9].

Hepatocyte injury: Free cholesterol can be excreted into the bile as neutral sterols or converted to bile acids, esterified and stored in the liver as cholesteryl esters, or assembled into very low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and secreted into the circulation[10]. Drug-induced cholestasis has been demonstrated to result in hepatocellular injury and a decrease in the number of functional LDL receptors in damaged hepatocytes, thereby affecting the liver’s capacity to metabolize lipids and consequently causing elevated lipid levels.

Genetic factors: It has been demonstrated that individual susceptibility to drug-induced cholestasis and changes in lipid levels may be related to genetic background[11].

Lifestyle and diet: It is evident that dietary habits and lifestyle choices can also influence lipid levels, particularly in cases where drug-induced cholestasis is present.

Lipoprotein-X and pseudohypernatremia

The patient’s severe chylous plasma may have an impact on specimen testing, leading to artifactual errors such as pseudohyponatremia. Cholestasis can cause hyperlipidemia by increasing serum lipoprotein X (Lp-X)[12], but Lp-X and LDL have the same density and cannot be distinguished by standard lipoprotein ultracentrifugation. Lp-X is the primary cholesterol transporter protein in plasma, formed when serum is incubated with bilipids derived from unesterified cholesterol and phospholipids released from the bile ducts into the bloodstream[13]. Elevated Lp-X levels, characterized by substantial phospholipid and free cholesterol content, promote the development of pseudohyponatremia, a process that is further exacerbated by severe hypercholesterolemia[14]. After processing blood samples using high-speed centrifugation and performing corrections, blood sodium levels can generally be restored to normal.

Therapeutic implications

In cases of Lp-X-associated hypercholesterolemia, statin therapy is ineffective in reducing cholesterol levels due to the inability of Lp-X to undergo LDL receptor-mediated hepatic clearance. Additionally, cholesterol absorption decreases in patients with severe cholestasis due to impaired micelle formation, resulting in a limited pharmacological effect of ezetimibe in lowering cholesterol levels by reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption[15]. This also explains why statins and ezetimibe were ineffective for this patient during the acute phase of cholestatic liver disease. When the patient’s condition did not improve with lipid-lowering drugs and there was no evidence of primary genetic defects, we concluded that the primary cause of the patient’s severely abnormal lipid levels was drug-induced cholestatic liver disease, even though her lipid levels exceeded the highest recorded levels of hyperlipidemia associated with cholestatic hepatitis. Treatment focused on promoting bile excretion and promptly reducing or discontinuing steroid use without overly emphasizing lipid-lowering therapy. Follow-up data after treatment revealed that the patient’s lipid levels did not increase after corticosteroid discontinuation and gradually returned to normal as intrahepatic cholestasis levels decreased. This further confirmed our team’s pre-treatment assessment. This approach differs from currently prevalent clinical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

At the same time, we observed that the patient’s blood ammonia levels were consistently high. However, there were no clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy, nor were there any abnormal findings on cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The high blood ammonia may be attributed to two primary causes: (1) The glucocorticoid application resulted in a significant decrease in the level of prealbumin, indicating the occurrence of vigorous protein catabolism. The amino acids resulting from protein catabolism serve as the primary source of nitrogenous compounds within the intestinal lumen. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in the production of ammonia in the intestinal tract; and (2) The urea diffused into the intestine during the hepatointestinal circulation process produces ammonia under the action of urease released by intestinal bacteria, which also increases blood ammonia levels.

CONCLUSION

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports of hyperlipidemia and cholestatic liver disease, both domestically and internationally. However, the etiology is often attributed to hyperlipidemia, and treatment primarily focuses on aggressive lipid-lowering therapy. The case that we present is relatively uncommon in clinical practice. It provides a complementary perspective to conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and offers important evidence for further investigating the association between the two conditions. We present a unique case of a patient diagnosed with drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis complicated by hyperlipidemia, with lipid levels surpassing those reported in previous cases. For patients like this one, we recommend the following: (1) Using high-speed centrifugation to process laboratory test samples and correcting pseudohyponatremia caused by extremely high lipid levels; and (2) Addressing the underlying liver damage before initiating lipid-lowering therapy, especially for patients with Lp-X-driven hyperlipidemia. Using statins/ezetimibe blindly not only fails to effectively lower lipid levels, but also carries the risk of further exacerbating liver damage.

It is evident that patients treated with glucocorticoids at replacement levels or above experience a roughly fivefold increase in the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in comparison to the general population. Furthermore, glucocorticosteroids have been observed to exert different effects on lipid indices and cardiovascular disease risk depending on various factors. The necessity for such assessment arises from the fact that glucocorticosteroids have different effects on lipid indices and cardiovascular disease risk depending on the dose, duration of treatment, and underlying diseases/indications. It is therefore recommended that a wide range of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors be routinely assessed, with a view to preventing and treating associated diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, visceral obesity, and dyslipidemia. In the treatment of clinical cases of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease and hyperlipidemia, it is essential for medical professionals to consider the patient’s overall condition, formulate an individualized treatment plan, and closely monitor the patient’s biochemical indices and clinical symptoms to ensure treatment efficacy and prognosis. However, there are still some limitations in the current research on hyperlipidemia and cholestatic liver disease; for example, the formation of Lp-X is often overlooked, direct methods for assessing cholesterol metabolism are complex and laborious, the sample size is small, and the interventions are relatively unitary. Further exploration of the association between these two conditions and their underlying mechanisms is required, and this should be achieved through future large-scale, multicentre, randomised controlled trials.