[Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in biliary cirrhosis].
Six female patients (mean age 48.5 years) suffering from primary biliary cirrhosis were evaluated during ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, Ursofalk, 10 mg/kg/day) therapy. The following examinations were performed: liver function tests, immunological studies [electrophoresis, immunoglobulin determination, T-B lymphocyte rate, antibody dependent cellularly cytotoxicity (ADCC), natural killer (NK) activity, blast transformation]. The patients showed a definite clinical improvement. Short term therapy (1 month) resulted in a decrease of gamma-GT, SGPT (ALT), SGOT (AST), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglyceride. The longer period of therapy (9 month) was associated with decrement in transaminase and gamma-GT levels. The statistically significant decrease of the IgG level, NK activity and spontaneous blast transformation during therapy suggest a potential immunosuppressive effect of the UDCA treatment. The authors believe that the use of UDCA could be effective in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Herszényi
L
L
Semmelweis Orvostudományi Egyetem, II. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Budapest.
Szalay
L
L
Schaff
Z
Z
Gergely
P
P
Fehér
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase