Ursodeoxycholic acid

Mechanism of action and novel clinical applications

Ikegami, Tadashi
Matsuzaki, Yasushi

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, Kasumigaura Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan

Correspondence: Prof. Yasushi Matsuzaki, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, Kasumigaura Hospital, 3-20-1 Chuo, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan. Email: [email protected]

Received 15 October 2007; revision 15 October 2007; accepted 15 October 2007.

Hepatology Research 38(2):p 123-131, February 2008.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases, gallstone dissolution, and for patients with hepatitis C virus infection to ameliorate elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. The efficacy of UDCA treatment has been debated and the mechanisms of action in humans have still not defined. Suggested mechanisms include the improvement of bile acid transport and/or detoxification, cytoprotection, and anti-apoptotic effects. In this review, we summarize the proposed molecular mechanisms for the action of UDCA, especially in hepatocytes, and also discuss the putative future clinical usage of this unique drug.