Composition and method for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a disease of the liver characterized by inflammation and damage to the liver cells. Typically, steatohepatitis involves inflammation of the liver related to fat accumulation, and mimics alcoholic hepatitis but is observed in patients who seldom or never consume alcohol. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can lead to serious liver damage, and ultimately cirrhosis. The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the treatment or alleviation of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and the pharmaceutical formulations for their administration to a human. Specifically, compositions comprised of lecithin, antioxidants and vitamin B complex are administered parenterally, most preferably by oral administration. Specific therapeutic formulations include admixtures of these compounds and specific dosage formulations include daily oral administrations of these compounds in tablet or powder forms.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis comprising 
 lecithin,    a vitamin B complex, and    antioxidants.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of    claim 1    wherein the lecithin is a dietary supplement.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of    claim 2    wherein the antioxidants are comprised of vitamin C.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of    claim 2    wherein the antioxidants are comprised of vitamin E.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of    claim 2    wherein the antioxidants are comprised of vitamin C or E and selenium.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of    claim 5    further comprising vitamin A.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of    claim 1    wherein the dosage of dietary lecithin is between approximately 15 to 50 grams.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of    claim 1    wherein the dosage of antioxidants and B vitamin complex is between approximately 675 to 4050 milligrams.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of    claim 1    prepared as a daily dosage of approximately 20 grams of lecithin and 1350 milligrams of antioxidants and B vitamin complex.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of    claim 2    wherein the lecithin dietary supplement is enriched with phosphatidylcholine.