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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a common condition affecting around 10-25% of the general adult population, 15% of children, and even > 50% of individuals who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a major cause of liver-related morbidity, and cardiovascular (CV) mortality is a common cause of death. In addition to being the initial step of irreversible alterations of the liver parenchyma causing cirrhosis, about 1/6 of those who develop NASH are at risk also developing CV disease (CVD). More recently the acronym MAFLD (Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease) has been preferred by many European and US specialists, providing a clearer message on the metabolic etiology of the disease. The suggestions for the management of NAFLD are like those recommended by guidelines for CVD prevention. In this context, the general approach is to prescribe physical activity and dietary changes the effect weight loss. Lifestyle change in the NAFLD patient has been supplemented in some by the use of nutraceuticals, but the evidence based for these remains uncertain. The aim of this Position Paper was to summarize the clinical evidence relating to the effect of nutraceuticals on NAFLD-related parameters. Our reading of the data is that whilst many nutraceuticals have been studied in relation to NAFLD, none have sufficient evidence to recommend their routine use; robust trials are required to appropriately address efficacy and safety., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Manfredi Rizzo: speakers bureau: Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Meda, Mylan, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diagnostics, Sanofi, and Servier; consultant to Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Meda, Mylan, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diagnostics, Sanofi, and Servier; Medical and Scientific Advisor, Europe East and South at Novo Nordisk; Peter E. Penson has received honoraria and/or travel reimbursement for events sponsored by AKCEA, Amgen, AMRYT, Link Medical, Mylan, Napp, Sanofi; Niki Katsiki; Dimitri P. Mikhailidis has given talks, acted as a consultant or attended conferences sponsored by Amgen and Novo Nordisk; Peter P. Toth: speakers bureau: Amgen, Esperion, Kowa, Merck, Novo-Nordisk; consultant to Amarin, bio89, Kowa, Merck, Resverlogix, Theravance; Maciej Banach: speakers bureau: Amgen, Herbapol, Kogen, KRKA, Polpharma, Mylan/Viatris, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva, Zentiva; consultant to Amgen, Daichii Sankyo, Esperion, Freia Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, Polfarmex, Sanofi-Aventis; Grants from Amgen, Mylan/Viatris, Sanofi and Valeant; CMO at Nomi Biotech Corporation Ltd.; all other authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is strongly related to lifetime exposure to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in longitudinal studies. Lipid-lowering therapy (using statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors) substantially ameliorates the risk and is associated with long-term reduction in cardiovascular (CV) events. The robust evidence supporting these therapies supports their continued (and expanding) role in risk reduction. In addition to these 'conventional' therapeutics, while waiting for other innovative therapies, growing evidence supports the use of a range of 'nutraceuticals' (constituents of food prepared as pharmaceutical formulations) including preparations of red yeast rice (RYR), the product of yeast (Monascus purpureus) grown on rice, which is a constituent of food and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The major active ingredient, monacolin K, is chemically identical to lovastatin. RYR preparations have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing LDL-C, and CV events. However, surprisingly, RYR has received relatively little attention in international guidelines - and conventional drugs with the strongest evidence for event reduction should always be preferred in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the absence of recommendations relating to RYR may preclude the use of a product which may have clinical utility in particular groups of patients (who may anyway self-prescribe this product), what in the consequence might help to reduce population CV risk. This Position Paper of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP) will use the best available evidence to give advice on the use of red-yeast rice in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest NA., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and consequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are substantial contributors to morbidity and mortality across Europe. Much of these diseases burden is modifiable, in particular by lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Current guidelines are based on the sound premise that with respect to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), "lower is better for longer", and the recent data have strongly emphasized the need of also "the earlier the better". In addition to statins, which have been available for several decades, the availability of ezetimibe and inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are additional very effective approach to LLT, especially for those at very high and extremely high cardiovascular risk. LLT is initiated as a response to an individual's calculated risk of future ASCVD and is intensified over time in order to meet treatment goals. However, in real-life clinical practice goals are not met in a substantial proportion of patients. This Position Paper complements existing guidelines on the management of lipids in patients following ACS. Bearing in mind the very high risk of further events in ACS, we propose practical solutions focusing on immediate combination therapy in strict clinical scenarios, to improve access and adherence to LLT in these patients. We also define an 'Extremely High Risk' group of individuals following ACS, completing the attempt made in the recent European guidelines, and suggest mechanisms to urgently address lipid-medicated cardiovascular risk in these patients., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) are at very high risk of cardiovascular disease, which is associated with poor outcomes from coronavirus infections. COVID-19 puts strain on healthcare systems and may impair access to routine FH services. On behalf of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP) and the European FH Patient Network (FH Europe), we present brief recommendations on the management of adult patients with FH during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the implications of COVID-19 infections for FH patients, the importance of continuing lipid-lowering therapy where possible, issues relating to safety monitoring and service delivery. We summarise the evidence for additional benefits of statins and other lipid-lowering drugs during viral infections. The recommendations do not override in any way the individual responsibility of physicians to make appropriate and accurate decisions taking into account the condition of a given patient and the doses, rules, and regulations applicable to drugs and devices at the time of their prescription/use., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No professional writer was involved in the preparation of this review., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Statins beside their main effect on reducing the progression of cardiovascular disease through pharmacological inhibition of the endogenous cholesterol synthesis, have additional pleiotropic effects including antiinflammatory effects mediated through the induction of suppressor regulatory T cells (Tregs). Statin-induced expansion of Tregs reduces chronic inflammation and may have beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases. However, statins could represent a double-edged sword in immunomodulation. Drugs that act by increasing the concentration of Tregs could enhance the risk of cancers, particularly in the elderly and may have adverse effects in neurodegenerative disorders and infectious diseases. In the present paper, we review the experimental studies that evaluate the effects of statins on Treg cells in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and we discuss potential therapeutic applications of statins in this setting., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)