Ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic liver disease: Mechanisms of action and therapeutic use revisited

CXCR3 axis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: a possible novel mechanism of the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid

“…UDCA, in addition to the previously reported mechanisms [9], may also protect from lymphocyte damage on the bile ductules. This model outlines a working hypothesis for future studies.…”

“…Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been used for many years as the main treatment of PBC by amelioration of portal inflammation. The mechanisms of its action are multiple [9].…”

Suppressive effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on type IIA phospholipase A2 expression in HepG2 cells†‡

“…19,21,30 Although the mechanism(s) of the UDCA effect on the improvement of liver function are still unclear, it has been postulated that UDCA, a less hydrophobic bile acid, displaces the more hydrophobic, potentially toxic bile acids from the membranes, protecting the hepatocytes. 31 Conversely, the immunomodulatory properties [32][33][34] as well as an antiapoptotic effect of UDCA 18 have been indicated. In our study, because the stimulation of proinflammatory cyto- kines did not induce apoptosis, the effect of UDCA was supposedly independent from its antiapoptotic action.…”

The multiple facets of ABCB4 (MDR3) deficiency

“…UDCA, a hydrophobic bile acid, is postulated to work by stimulating hepatobiliary secretion, protecting cholangiocytes against hydrophobic bile acids that are cytotoxic and protecting hepatocytes against bile acid induced apoptosis 52 . UDCA improves pruritis and biochemical cholestasis, without adverse effects on either or the mother or fetus 53,5455 .…”