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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and gallbladder motility in gallstone patients and healthy subjects.

Fasting and postprandial gallbladder volumes have been measured by sonography both in healthy subjects and gallstone patients ingesting: (a) tauroursodeoxycholic acid; (b) ursodeoxycholic acid; (c) placebo. Each bile salt was given at a dose of 10 mg kg-1. Sonography was repeated in gallstone patients fed tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid (10 mg kg-1 day-1) for 1 month. Gallstone patients had gallbladder stasis (increase in fasting and residual volumes) and decreased postprandial emptying. Acute ingestion of tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid did not modify postprandial gallbladder emptying in both groups of subjects. After one month's therapy with tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid, fasting gallbladder volume further increased in gallstone patients, although gallbladder emptying remained unchanged. Thus, therapeutic doses of tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid do not acutely modify postprandial gallbladder emptying in either healthy subjects or gallstone patients. Chronic treatment with either bile salts results in an increase in fasting gallbladder volume without interfering with the extent of postprandial gallbladder emptying.

Adult↗

Hepatoprotective bile acid 'ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)' Property and difference as bile acids.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a bile acid, which is present in human bile at a low concentration of only 3% of total bile acids. It is a 7beta-hydroxy epimer of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). UDCA is isolated from the Chinese drug 'Yutan' a powder preparation derived from the dried bile of adult bears. For centuries, Yutan has been used in the treatment of hepatobiliary disorders. In Japan, it has also been in widespread use as a folk medicine from the mid-Edo period. In Japan, not only basic studies such as isolation, crystallization, definition of the chemical structure and establishment of the synthesis of UDCA have been conducted but clinical studies have been conducted. First reports on the effects of UDCA in patients with liver diseases came from Japan as early as 1961. In the 1970s, the first prospective study of patients with gallbladder stones treated with UDCA demonstrating gallstone dissolution was reported. In late 1980s, a number of controlled trials on the use of UDCA in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) were reported. Since then, a variety of clinical studies have shown the beneficial effect of UDCA in liver disease worldwide. To date, UDCA is utilized for the treatment of PBC for which it is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recent years, with the advent of molecular tools, the mechanisms of action of bile acids and UDCA have been investigated, and various bioactivities and pharmacological effects have been revealed. Based on the results of these studies, the bioactive substances in bile acids that are involved in digestive absorption may play important roles in signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of UDCA is evidently involved. We reveal the physicochemical properties of UDCA as bile acid and overview the established pharmacological effects of UDCA from its metabolism. Furthermore, we overview the current investigations into the mechanism of action of UDCA in liver disease.

Journal Article↗

Enrichment of the more hydrophilic bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid in the fecal water-soluble fraction after feeding to rats with colon polyps.

We recently showed that feeding the cytoprotective bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to rats resulted in significant reduction in polyps and especially cancers, both in number and size (D. L. Earnest et al., Cancer Res., 54: 5071-5074, 1994). Because fecal secondary bile acids [particularly deoxycholic acid (DCA)] are considered to promote formation of colon adenomas and cancer, we have now attempted to find a relationship between polyp reduction and fecal secondary bile acids after feeding UDCA to these rats. We examined the fecal bile acids in rats with polyps and compared them with fecal bile acids in control rats and also determined the bile acid composition in fecal aqueous phase, which is in direct contact with the colon epithelium and may be physiologically more active. Treatment with azoxymethane did not significantly alter fecal bile acid composition in the rats. Cholic acid feeding resulted in greatly increased proportions of DCA (82% of total bile acids versus 18% in control rats). On the other hand, UDCA feeding significantly reduced the proportion of fecal DCA (2% in control rats fed UDCA and 3% in rats also treated with azoxymethane). In control rats, 96% of the bile acids were present in the water-insoluble fraction and 4% in the water-soluble fraction. The major insoluble bile acids included DCA and hyodeoxycholic acid (73% of total bile acids). In contrast, the muricholic acids were concentrated in the soluble fraction (37%). When 0.4% UDCA was added to the diet, lithocholic acid increased in the insoluble fraction (40 versus 1%), but the hydrophilic UDCA and muricholic acids were enriched in the water-soluble fraction (37 and 43%, respectively). Thus, the hydrophobic bile acids were distributed predominantly in the water-insoluble fraction, whereas the hydrophilic bile acids were distributed preferentially in the water-soluble fraction. These data suggest that UDCA may prevent colon tumors and polyps by countering the toxic effect of DCA and enhancing the possible cytoprotective effects of UDCA and muricholic acids in the water-soluble fraction in the feces of rat.

Animals↗

Novel derivatives of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (chenodeoxycholic acid) and 3 alpha,7 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (ursodeoxycholic acid).

Several 7-acyl cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acids were obtained in good yields starting from the corresponding cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acids, by a diacylation-selective hydrolysis procedure. A superior method for the synthesis of the 7-oleyl derivatives, by a selective acylation procedure, is also presented.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Displacing effects of chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and sulfadimethoxine on plasma protein binding of tolbutamide.

The interactions between chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tolbutamide including its displacement from plasma protein binding sites were investigated pharmacokinetically. An increasing concentration of unbound tolbutamide was observed in the in vitro experiment, conducted by equilibrium dialysis method at 30 degrees C after the addition of CDCA and UDCA to human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and rabbit plasma containing tolbutamide. Small changes in total plasma concentration of tolbutamide were noted after high dose (0.167 mg/kg/min) intravenous infusion of CDCA to rabbits receiving a constant intravenous infusion of tolbutamide, but, such an observation was not obtained with low dose (0.083 mg/kg/min) of CDCA or with either high or low dose of UDCA. These results seem to indicate the displacement of high doses of CDCA. The coadministration of sulfadimethoxine which not only displaces tolbutamide from binding sites but also inhibits its metabolism was investigated. A different plasma pattern was obtained under the same intravenous infusion conditions, as compared with the plasma pattern resulting from tolbutamide-CDCA or UDCA combination.

Animals↗

Different effects of bile acids, ursodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid, on cell growth and cell death in human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.

Secondary bile acids have been implicated as an important etiological factor in colorectal cancer. We investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) on the growth and cytotoxicity in HT29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. Proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis and cell death characterization by bile acids were performed. Both UDCA and DCA reduced their proliferation rate of HT29 over 48 h in a concentration- and time-dependent manner compared with control cultures. In terms of cell cycle effects, however, UDCA induced G2/M arrest, while DCA induced G1 arrest in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. As for the effects of each bile acid on cell toxicity, UDCA induced early apoptosis and DCA induced both early apoptosis and necrosis. Bile acids play an important role in regulating cell survival and cell death in colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Conversion of 7-ketolithocholic acid to ursodeoxycholic acid by human intestinal anaerobic microorganisms: interchangeability of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid.

Chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and 7-ketolithocholic acid were incubated with human intestinal bacteria (source: 4 healthy males) at 37 degrees C for 72 hours in an anerobic condition. The bile acids of the products in culture medium were identified by three independent methods, thin layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and GLC-mass spectrometry. Lithocholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and 7-ketolithocholic acid were observed in the culture of chenodeoxycholic acid. Lithocholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and 7-ketolithocholic acid were observed in the culture of ursodeoxycholic acid. Chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid were produced from 7-ketolithocholic acid. These data may suggest that chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid are interconvertible via 7-ketolithocholic acid by the mixed culture of human intestinal microorganisms under an anaerobic condition.

Anaerobiosis↗

Competition in liver transport between chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid as a mechanism for ursodeoxycholic acid and its amidates' protection of liver damage induced by chenodeoxycholic acid.

BACKGROUND: Ursodeoxycholic acid has been widely used as a therapeutic agent in cholesterol gallstones and liver disease patients, but its mechanism of action is still under investigation. AIMS: The protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid, both free, taurine and glycine conjugated, against hepatotoxic bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid and its taurine amidate was studied in bile fistula rats and compared with the cholic and taurocholic acid effect. METHODS: Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid and cholic acid were infused iv over 1 hour (8 micromol/min/kg) together with an equimolar dose of either taurochenodeoxycholic acid or chenodeoxycholc acid. Bile flow, total and individual bile acid and biliary lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes were measured. RESULTS: Taurochenodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholc acid caused cholestasis and liver damage associated with a decreased bile flow, total and individual bile acids secretion accompanied by a biliary leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid, on the contrary, were choleretic, inducing an opposite effect on biliary parameters. Simultaneous infusion of taurochenodeoxycholic acid and the protective bile acid resulted in a functional and morphological improvement of the above parameters in the following order: glycine ursodeoxycholic acid > tauroursodeoxycholic acid > ursodeoxycholic acid followed by taurocholic acid; cholic acid was ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the protective effect of glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid. This may be due to a facilitated transport of the toxic bile acid into bile; conjugation with taurine is less effective than glycine. Finally, the better protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and its amidates with respect to cholic acid and its taurine conjugated form seems to be related to their different lipophilicity and micellar forming capacity.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Ofloxacin and ursodeoxycholic acid versus ursodeoxycholic acid alone to prevent occlusion of biliary stents: a prospective, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Biliary plastic stents are highly effective in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction, but may become occluded over time, leading to jaundice and cholangitis. Stent occlusion is thought to be caused by bacterial adhesion and formation of biofilm. This study was carried out to assess whether treatment with ofloxacin in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid is superior to ursodeoxycholic acid alone in preventing stent occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with obstructive jaundice due to inoperable malignant disease underwent placement of a straight 11.5-Fr polyethylene stent. After stent insertion, the patients were randomly assigned to receive either ofloxacin (200 mg b.i.d.) with ursodeoxycholic acid (250 mg t.i.d.) or ursodeoxycholic acid alone. The end points of the study were the frequency of stent occlusions, the time to stent occlusion, and the safety of the two regimens. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled, of whom 26 were assigned to the combined therapy group and 26 to the control group. Thirty patients were suffering from pancreatic cancer, 13 from gallbladder or bile duct cancer, and nine had metastases from other malignant tumors. Eight stent occlusions (31%) occurred in the ofloxacin group and six (23 %) in the control group (P = 0.76). The mean times to stent occlusion were 95 +/- 9 days and 101 +/- 9 days, respectively (P = 0.91). No significant differences regarding survival time or safety were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ofloxacin in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid is not superior to ursodeoxycholic acid alone in preventing stent occlusion in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

Aged↗

Efficacy and safety of a combination of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid for gallstone dissolution: a comparison with ursodeoxycholic acid alone.

Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDC) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDC) have distinct physicochemical and metabolic properties which, being complementary, should favor more rapid removal of cholesterol from gallstones when both bile acids are administered together. To see if the combination is more effective and well tolerated, we have compared 5 mg/kg of CDC plus 5 mg/kg of UDC with a 10-mg/kg dose of UDC alone in 120 patients with radiolucent, sonographically confirmed gallstones and characteristics favoring complete dissolution. Ursodeoxycholic acid was chosen as the reference because it dissolves stones faster and is better tolerated than CDC. To minimize the influence of stone size, the major determinant of dissolution, patients were divided, on admission, into two groups according to the maximum stone diameter: 50 had stones less than or equal to 5 mm, 70 had stones greater than 5 mm but less than 15 mm. The effects of treatment on stone dissolution evaluated by cholecystography and ultrasonography at 6, 12, and 24 mo, were analyzed by the actuarial life-table method. In the group with smaller stones, significantly more patients had obtained complete dissolution after treatment with the combination (52%) than after treatment with UDC alone (24%) at 6 mo. After longer periods, results were still better with the combination, although the differences from UDC alone became smaller. In the patients with larger stones, rates of complete and partial dissolutions were higher after treatment with the combination (51% vs. 24% with UDC) at 6 mo and again the differences had become smaller after longer treatment. Although not statistically significant, stone calcification occurred more often with UDC (7 cases) than with the combination (1 case). We conclude that CDC plus UDC is preferable to UDC alone because it dissolves stones more quickly, with a lower incidence of stone calcification, and may result in reduced cost of treatment.

Bile↗

Comparative studies of metabolism of simultaneously administered chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid in hamsters.

We present the comparative studies of metabolism of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid and their taurine conjugates in the liver and fecal culture from hamsters. When [24-14C]chenodeoxycholic acid and [11,12-3H]ursodeoxycholic acid were simultaneously instilled into the jujunal loop of bile fistula hamsters, both bile acids administered were recovered mainly as their conjugates with taurine and glycine in the fistula bile. The recovery of chenodeoxycholic acid was slightly but significantly higher than that of ursodeoxycholic acid. Chenodeoxycholic acid was more efficiently conjugated with glycine than ursodeoxycholic acid. The glycine/taurine ratio in the biliary chenodeoxycholic acid was 1.9, and that in ursodeoxycholic acid was 1.6. In addition, as much as 6.2% of ursodeoxycholic acid was excreted as the unconjugated form; on the other hand only 2.4% of unconjugated chenodeoxycholic acid was excreted. When [24-14C]chenodeoxycholyltaurine and [11,12-3H]ursodeoxycholyltaurine were simultaneously administered into the ileum loop of bile fistula hamsters, both bile salts were absorbed and secreted efficiently into the bile at the same rate. These results indicate that slightly lower recovery of ursodeoxycholic acid in the bile could be due to the less effective conjugation of ursodeoxycholic acid than chenodeoxycholic acid in the liver. Deconjugation by fecal culture from a hamster proceeded more rapidly in chenodeoxycholyltaurine than ursodeoxycholyltaurine. 7-Dehyroxylation to form lithocholic acid by fecal culture was also faster in chenodeoxycholic acid than ursodeoxycholic acid. The formation of 7-oxolithocholic acid from ursodeoxycholic acid was lesser than from chenodeoxycholic acid. In summary, bacterial deconjugation followed by 7-dehydroxylation to form lithocholic acid seems to be achieved more efficiently with chenodeoxycholic acid than ursodeoxycholic acid.

Animals↗

The effectual level of ursodeoxycholic acid in therapy for non-advanced chronic cholestasis is fifty percent of total serum bile acids.

Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy (600 mg/day) was evaluated in twelve patients with non-advanced chronic cholestasis. Within four months, ursodeoxycholic acid replaced more than 50% of total bile acids in 8 patients and the reduction of serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases averaged 30% or more. The serum levels of chenodeoxycholic acid depend on those of ursodeoxycholic acid, but are not related to those of biochemical parameters. Drug therapy was continued in three poor responders for 2-3 four-month periods. In one case an increase of the serum proportion of ursodeoxycholic acid was associated with a reduction in biochemical parameters. The other two cases had high serum levels of chenodeoxycholic acid and/or cholic acid throughout the entire course of treatment. While the treatment of chronic cholestasis requires an effectual serum proportion of ursodeoxycholic acid, it is important to distinguish endogenous persistent hyper-bile-acidemia from ursodeoxycholic acid-related acidemia.

Adult↗

Direct measurement of hepatic extraction of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid in man.

1. The hepatic extraction ratios of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid have been measured in 12 patients without, and 20 patients with, liver disease. 2. Ten of the patients without liver disease were studied during cardiac catheterization, with a continuous infusion technique. Two of the patients without liver disease and all those with liver disease received an intravenous bolus of [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid or [14C]ursodeoxycholic acid, during transvenous liver biopsy. 3. The extraction ratio of chenodeoxycholic acid was 0.63 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- mean +/- SEM) and of ursodeoxycholic acid 0.53 +/- 0.01, in the patients without liver disease. In those with mild liver disease, extraction was slightly impaired (chenodeoxycholic acid; 0.49 +/0 0.03; ursodeoxycholic acid: 0.43 +/- 0.05), whereas in those with more severe liver disease it was greatly reduced (chenodeoxycholic acid: 0.16 +/- 0.08; ursodeoxycholic acid: 0.07 +/- 0.01). 4. The results suggest that (a) direct measurements confirm the accuracy of indirect estimates of hepatic extraction of chenodeoxycholic acid, (b) hepatic extraction of chenodeoxycholic acid is lower than that of cholic acid and glycocholic acid, but higher than that of ursodeoxycholic acid, (c) progressive impairment of the extraction ratios of these two bile acids occurs as the severity of liver disease increases, and (d) the ratios are correlated with indocyanine green extraction ratios.

Adult↗

Asymptomatic primary sclerosing cholangitis treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.

Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment (600 mg/day) was evaluated in a patient with asymptomatic primary sclerosing cholangitis. Serum levels of biliary enzymes decreased to normal ranges within 1 month's treatment and remained normal for 26 months. Serum chenodeoxycholic acid had been replaced by ursodeoxycholic acid, and hepatic copper metabolism, assessed by x-ray probe analysis, improved during the treatment. However, neither biliary tract sclerosis nor portal tract pathology changed with the treatment. These observations suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid protects the liver in primary sclerosing cholangitis by improving the metabolism of bile acid and copper.

Adult↗

Differing effect of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid on bile acids in rat colonic wall and contents.

Bile acids may promote experimental colonic cancer. Many studies correlate fecal bile acids and colorectal carcinomas. Little is known on bile acids in the colonic mucosa and their relation to luminal bile acids. We, therefore, studied bile acids in colonic wall and contents of normal female Wistar rats and after 14 days' administration of chenodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid (90 mg/kg daily), two bile acids used in medicamentous cholelitholysis. Both regimens increase total bile acids in colonic contents, ursodeoxycholic acid produces a higher rise in toxic lithocholic acid. In the colonic wall, only ursodeoxycholic acid causes an increase of most nonsulfated bile acids including lithocholic acid. Bile acid patterns do not correlate in colonic wall and contents. We conclude that increased colonic wall bile acids after ursodeoxycholic acid administration warrant control in man. In future colorectal carcinoma studies, not only fecal, but also mucosal bile acid concentrations should be correlated to carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Inhibition of rat liver microsomal bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase by ursodeoxycholic acid.

Ursodeoxycholic acid and its endogenous metabolite tauroursodeoxycholic acid inhibited in vitro the microsomal bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase from rat liver. The magnitude of the inhibition correlated well with the loss of integrity of microsomal vesicles, suggesting that bile salts needed to reach the lumen to exert their inhibitory effects. The endogenous bile acids cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid also exhibited inhibitory effects on bilirubin glucuronidation in digitonin-disrupted microsomes. Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibitory capacity was similar to that of chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid but greater than that of cholic acid, the major endogenous bile salt. Kinetic studies, performed in detergent-activated preparations, showed that the inhibitions produced by ursodeoxycholic and tauroursodeoxycholic acids were competitive toward both bilirubin and UDP-glucuronic acid. The estimated Ki(app) for both substrates did not differ statistically between ursodeoxycholic and tauroursodeoxycholic acids. Both bile salts were weak inhibitors toward bilirubin but rather strong inhibitors toward UDP-glucuronic acid.

Animals↗

Transformation of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid by human intestinal bacteria.

Feces from normal subjects and patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis were incubated anaerobically with labeled chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholine acid for known periods, and the bile acids formed were analyzed by TLC and scintillation counting. In the normal subjects, 80% of the chenodeoxycholic acid and 41% of the ursodeoxycholic acid were 7-dehydroxylated to lithocholic acid during 2 hr of incubation. In contrast, the fecal flora of the CTX patients transformed only 5% of chenodeoxycholic acid and less than 1% of ursodeoxycholic acid to lithocholic acid during the same time period. In several subjects (normals and CTX), the intestinal flora converted chenodeoxycholic acid to ursodeoxycholic acid without the accumulation of the hypothetical intermediate 7-ketolithocholic acid (3 alpha-hydroxy-7-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid). These results indicate that the fecal bacterial flora is capable of 7-dehydroxylating chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid to yield lithocholic acid. Apparently the enzymes involved are relatively stereospecific since the 7 beta-hydroxy group of ursodeoxycholic acid was removed more slowly than the 7 alpha-hydroxy group of chenodeoxycholic acid.

Adult↗

[Tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid vs. ursodeoxycholic acid in the dissolution of biliary calculi. Results of a single blind study].

Out of 34 patients enrolled and randomized, 31 completed the 6 months study period. Fifteen were treated with TUDCA, and 16 with UDCA. Dosage for both drugs was 10 mg/kg body weight daily. Superiprisingly, TUDCA was not found to be more active than UDCA in dissolving, totally or partially, the gallbladder stones; indeed, total dissolution was more frequent in the UDCA group. Since the two groups were similar as to number and size of the stones, the better results with UDCA cannot be attributed to the characteristics of the calculosis but must be ascribed to the molecule used. Both drugs induced an improvement in dyspeptic symptoms, but from this point of view, too, UCDA was more effective than TUDCA (p < 0.01). Finally, tolerability was also significantly better for UDCA, although TUDCA was altogether acceptable.

Adolescent↗