Dissolution of gall stones with an ursodeoxycholic acid menthol preparation: a controlled prospective double blind trial.
In a controlled prospective double blind trial patients with cholesterol gall bladder stones are treated with ursodeoxy-cholic acid (group A: UDCA 11.1 mg/kg per day; n = 16) and Ursomenth respectively (group B: a mixture of UDCA/menthol: 4.75 mg/kg per day each; n = 17). With same stone number and size (10-12 mm) there is a complete dissolution rate in group A of 38%, and of 53% in group B within 15-16.9 months. The response rate (complete + partial dissolution) amounted to 75% and 76% respectively. In group A there is one case of stone calcification, in group B none. Both preparations are free of unwanted effects. This suggests that the cyclic monoterpene menthol enhances the effect of UDCA and is of comparable effect to a mixture of six different terpenes used in former times.
Leuschner
M
M
Zentrum der Inneren Medizin, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt/Main, Federal Republic of Germany.
Leuschner
U
U
Lazarovici
D
D
Kurtz
W
W
Hellstern
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid; C056155:Ursometh; D008610:Menthol; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid