Mechanisms of action and therapeutic efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic liver disease.

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is widely used for the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases. Multiple mechanisms of action of UDCA have been described aiming at one or more of the pathogenetic processes of cholestatic liver diseases: (1) protection of injured cholangiocytes against toxic effects of bile acids, (2) stimulation of impaired biliary secretion, (3) stimulation of detoxification of hydrophobic bile acids, and (4) inhibition of apoptosis of hepatocytes. Through one or more of these mechanisms, UDCA slows the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis and improves a number of other cholestatic disorders.

• Authors: Gustav Paumgartner, Ulrich Beuers
• Journal: Clinics in liver disease (Clin Liver Dis) Vol. 8 Issue 1 Pg. 67-81, vi (Feb 2004) ISSN: 1089-3261 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15062194 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Topics

• Cholestasis (physiopathology)
• Enterohepatic Circulation (physiology)
• Humans
• Liver Diseases (physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Ursodeoxycholic Acid (physiology)