Mechanism of hepatoprotective action of bile salts in liver disease.
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves liver enzymes and in many instances liver histology in cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Besides classic cholestatic diseases, UDCA also improves liver biochemistry in alcoholic liver disease and in chronic viral hepatitis C. The main target of UDCA treatment, however, is cholestasis, and consequently the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects in these diseases are of interest, and are discussed in detail in this article.
Stiehl
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Benz
C
C
Sauer
P
P
D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid