title: The ursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of HCV infections.
abstract: Hepatitis C is a very serious disease. If it is not treated, it leads to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in 50% and 20% of cases, respectively. Furthermore, patients with cirrhosis might develop hepatocarcinoma. Interferon seems to be the therapy of choice in the treatment of the disease. However, since the molecule cannot always be used (non-compliant patient; severe side effects; liver-associated pathologies; patient age) alternative therapies have been investigated. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) stands out among recommended non-antiviral molecules. 74 patients affected by HCV chronic infections were enrolled in this single-blind study. One group (A: 37 patients) was treated with UDCA (600 mg/day for 12 months) and compared with a control group (B: 37 patients) in order to assess the therapy efficacy in reducing cytolysis index and to estimate viraemia and histologic score variation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  13 patients did not complete the study (8 belonging to group A; 5 to group B). 65,5% of the patients treated with UDCA showed ALT reduction; 42,1% of them with complete response. The situation remained unchanged in 15 patients all the treatment along. In the group B, only 12,5% showed a significant ALT reduction. During the follow-up, in 69,4% of group-A responders ALT was found to return to pre-treatment values. No variation was observed in the viraemia and histologic score of patients who had accepted a control biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UDCA is undoubtedly suitable for reducing cytolysis index in patients with HCV chronic infections. It is well tolerated but it does not modify the disease natural course.
authors.affiliation: Divisione Malattie Infettive, OO.RR., Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scotto