title: A randomised placebo-controlled trial of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
abstract: A randomised placebo controlled study was performed in 32 women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The population was divided into four groups: for 20 days each group was treated only with ursodeoxycholic acid, or S-adenosylmethionine, or a combination of both drugs, or a placebo (vitamin). Itching, standard liver function tests and serum total bile acids were measured before, during, and after treatment. Itching improved in all the women as well as the biochemical abnormalities. No side-effects in the mother or in the infant were recorded during and after therapy. A combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine is more effective than placebo and than either drug alone.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Nicastri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaferia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tartagni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loizzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fanelli
mesh_terms: D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase