Bile Acids: From a Toxic to a Therapeutic Compound

In cholestasis biliary secretion of bile acids is diminished and their accumulation in the liver leads to liver damage. Bile acid induced hepatocyte damage can successfully be prevented by an atoxic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid. Ursodeoxycholic acid displaces toxic bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation and competes with them for receptors of cell organelles where they can induce hepatocyte damage. The efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid has best been documented in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Many further cholestatic diseases seem to benefit from a treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. Recently, an effect in patients after liver transplantation has also been observed.

Source: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 96, Heft 12 vom 26.03.99, Seite A-764