FIGURE 5.
Circulating LDL-C was directly related to HMGCR expression levels (A) and inversely related to LDLR expression (B) (data for all subjects from all groups shown). Subjects with NASH who were on statins for more than six months were compared to those who were not on statins. HMGCR and LDLR protein levels, shown as a Western blot in three representative subjects each (C), were similar in both groups (shown graphically for six subjects each in panel D). mRNA levels of HMGCR and SREBP-2 were paradoxically lower in subjects on statins (p< 0.05 for both) compared to those not on statins (E). Data for 6 subjects on statins were compared to 20 subjects not on statins. Mean ± S.D. shown for all graphical data.