title: [Treatment of cholestatic liver diseases].
abstract: MODE OF ACTION OF URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID: In cholestasis, the impaired biliary secretion of toxic bile acids causes their accumulation in the liver and a subsequent hepatic failure. This bile acid-induced liver damage can be treated successfully with the atoxic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). This bile acid is formed by 7-beta-epimerization of chenodeoxycholic acid by intestinal bacteria. It represents 1-3% of the total human bile acid pool. The hepatocellular content of toxic bile acids is reduced by UDCA. This protects the liver cell from injury by toxic bile acids. THERAPEUTIC RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of UDCA in primary biliary cirrhosis has been demonstrated. Furthermore, numerous other cholestatic liver diseases benefit from UDCA treatment. The autoimmune pathogenesis of cholestatic liver diseases, e.g., primary biliary cirrhosis, might reveal an additional beneficial effect of a combination therapy with UDCA and immunosuppressive substances.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I, Klinikum Kassel.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gatzen
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pausch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine