Efficacy of colchicine in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis poorly responsive to ursodiol and methotrexate

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 20-30% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) respond fully to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The rest have progressive disease and eventually develop cirrhosis and liver failure. More effective treatment is needed. Methotrexate improved biochemical tests of liver function and liver histology in patients with PBC who had failed to respond to UDCA in one report and induced sustained biochemical and histological remission in another. The role of colchicine in PBC is unclear. We describe three patients with symptomatic PBC who responded very well to the addition of colchicine after they had failed to respond to UDCA alone and in combination with methotrexate. We suggest that colchicine should be tried in PBC patients who clearly fail to respond to UDCA. METHODS: Three patients with symptomatic biopsy-proven, antimitochondrial antibody-positive PBC failed to respond to UDCA and then to the addition of methotrexate. Colchicine was eventually added to the regimen. Symptoms, biochemical tests of liver function, and percutaneous liver biopsies were done at baseline, after treatment with UDCA, UDCA plus methotrexate, and UDCA plus methotrexate plus colchicine. RESULTS: All three patients responded after colchicine was added to UDCA and methotrexate. Symptoms, biochemical tests of liver function, and liver histology improved in all, and blood tests normalized in two. CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine may be effective treatment in some symptomatic patients with PBC who respond incompletely to UDCA alone or in combination with methotrexate. Colchicine may be tried in such patients.     

Fenofibrate for patients with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM:Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic disease of autoimmune etiology,the histology of which shows a destruction of the intrahepatic bile duct and portal inflammation. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is now used as a first-line drug for asymptomatic PBC (aPBC) because it is reported that UDCA decreases mortality and prolongs the time of liver transplantation.However, only 20-30% of patients respond fully to UDCA.Recently,lipoprotein-lowering agents have been found to be effective for PBC.The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of fenofibrate, a member of the fibrate class of hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory agent via peroxysome proliferatory-activated receptor α,in patients with aPBC.METHODS:Fenofibrate was administered for twelve weeks in nine patients with aPBC who failed to respond to UDCA.UDCA was used along with fenofibrate during the study.The data from aPBC patients were analyzed to assess the biochemical effect of fenofibrate during the study.RESULTS: The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)(285±114.8IU/L) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) (255.8±85.9mg/dl) significantly decreased to 186.9±76.2IU/L and 192.9±67.5mg/dL respectively, after fenofibrate treatment in patients with aPBC (P<0.05). Moreover,the titer of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) also decreased in 4 of 9 patients with aPBC. No adverse reactions were observed in any patients.CONCLUSION:Fenofibrate appears to be significantly effective in treating patients with aPBC who respond incompletely to UDCA alone.Although the mechanism of fenofibrate on aPBC has not yet been fully clarified,combination therapy using fenofibrate and UDCA might be related to the anti-immunological effects, such as the suppression of AMA production as well as its antiinflammatory effect.     

A randomized controlled trial of colchicine plus ursodiol versus methotrexate plus ursodiol in primary biliary cirrhosis: ten-year results

Primary biliary cirrhosis frequently progresses despite treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the only approved therapy. Previous studies suggested that colchicine and methotrexate may improve biochemical tests of liver function, symptoms, and liver histology. The aim of the present study was to determine if the addition of colchicine or methotrexate to UDCA would improve survival free of liver transplantation. Eighty-five patients with histologically confirmed primary biliary cirrhosis whose serum alkaline phosphatase levels were at least twice the normal level and who were not yet candidates for liver transplantation were randomly assigned to receive colchicine or methotrexate in a double-blind study. UDCA was administered to all patients after 2 years. The primary end point was survival free of liver transplantation. Patients were followed up for a total of up to 10 years or until treatment failure. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Transplant-free survival was similar in both groups: 0.57 for colchicine plus UDCA and 0.44 for methotrexate plus UDCA, results that are similar to those predicted by the Mayo prognostic model. Significant improvement in liver biochemical tests and liver histology was observed in a subset of patients in both treatment groups who remained in the study for all 10 years. In conclusion, neither colchcine plus UDCA nor methotrexate plus UDCA improved survival beyond that predicted by the Mayo prognostic model. However, clinical, histologic, and biochemical improvement observed among those who remained in the study for 10 years suggests a possible benefit of these drugs in a subset of patients.     

The influence of sulindac on patients with primary biliary cirrhosis that responds incompletely to ursodeoxycholic acid: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: In 30% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) causes full biochemical normalization, while 70% are incomplete responders. The only differences between the two groups are the significantly higher cholestasis indices in the incomplete responders. In these patients we investigated whether the strongly choleretic sulindac together with UDCA is superior to UDCA monotherapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with PBC incompletely responding to UDCA monotherapy were entered in the open label study for 12 months. Eleven patients (stage II, seven; III, two; and IV, two) received UDCA (10-15 mg/kg/day) plus sulindac (100-300 mg/day) (Group I). Twelve patients (stage I, six; II, four; III, one; and IV, one) were treated with UDCA alone (Group II). Liver biochemistry, analysis of antimitochondrial, antinuclear, smooth muscle, and liver-kidney-microsomal antibodies, ultrasonography and gastroscopy were done in regular intervals. RESULTS: In Group I all liver indices, IgG, IgM and IgA significantly improved although pretreatment data and stages of the disease tended to be higher than in Group II. In five patients of Group I liver histology improved slightly. Sulindac was well tolerated. The biochemical indices did not further improve on UDCA monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Sulindac in combination with UDCA further improves liver biochemistries in patients with PBC who responded incompletely to UDCA alone.     

Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Efficacy and Safety of UDCA-Based Therapies in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Major ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-based therapies for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) include UDCA only, or combined with either methotrexate (MTX), corticosteroids (COT), colchicine (COC), or bezafibrate (BEF). As the optimum treatment regimen is unclear and warrants exploration, we aimed to compare these therapies in terms of patient mortality or liver transplantation (MOLT) and adverse events (AE).PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials up to August 31, 2014. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for MOLT and odds ratios (ORs) for AE. A sensitivity analysis based on the dose of UDCA was also executed.Thirty-one eligible articles were included. Compared with COT plus UDCA, UDCA (HR 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–1.39), BEF plus UDCA (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.02–4.83), COC plus UDCA (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.07–2.25), MTX plus UDCA (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.05–1.63), or OBS (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.11–2.01) all provided an increased risk of MOLT. With respect to drug AE profile, although not differing appreciably, BEF plus UDCA was associated with more AEs compared with UDCA (OR 3.16, 95% CI 0.59–20.67), COT plus UDCA (OR 2.27, 95% CI 0.15–33.36), COC plus UDCA (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.09–12.16), MTX plus UDCA (OR 2.03, 95% CI 0.23–17.82), or OBS (OR 3.00, 95% CI 0.53–20.75). The results of sensitivity analyses were highly consistent with previous analyses.COT plus UDCA was the optimal UDCA-based regimen for both MOLT and AEs. BEF plus UDCA was most likely to cause AEs, whereas monotherapy with UDCA and coadministriation of COT plus UDCA appeared to be associated with the fewest AEs for PBC treatment.     

Efficacy of fenofibrate in Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis partially responding to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of fenofibrate combination therapy in Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had a partial response to standard dose of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for at least one year. METHODS: PBC patients were treated with UDCA (13–15 mg/kg/day) for more than one year. The biochemical response to UDCA treatment was evaluated after treatment. Fenofibrate (200 mg/day) was added to 22 patients with partial response to UDCA. RESULTS: In patients with partial response to UDCA, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels significantly decreased after 3‐month combination therapy of UDCA and fenofibrate, 68% of these patients even reached normal ALP level. Serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were improved, and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also decreased during the combination therapy. However, fenofibrate had no significant effect on serum bilirubin levels. The improvement of liver biochemical tests was maintained in some patients with long‐term therapy (at least 6 months). No obvious adverse effects were observed in patients taking fenofibrate. CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate is effective for improving liver biochemical tests in patients who have partial response to UDCA monotherapy. It is worth exploring the efficacy of fenofibrate on histological changes in PBC patients.     

Bezafibrate treatment: a new medical approach for PBC patients?

Background. A new medical approach to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been desired. We investigated the feasibility of using combination ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-bezafibrate therapy in patients with PBC nonresponsive to UDCA monotherapy. Methods. During a 6-month period, 22 PBC patients with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) despite UDCA monotherapy received either UDCA at 600 mg/day (control group) or UDCA at 600 mg/day plus bezafibrate at 400 mg/day (bezafibrate group). Each patient underwent detailed clinical and biochemical evaluation. Results. During treatment, changes in ALP level were greater in the bezafibrate group than in the control group (P < 0.01). During and at the end of treatment, serum ALP levels were significantly lower than those before treatment in patients receiving UDCA plus bezafibrate (P < 0.05). At the end of the 6 months, normalization of serum ALP was observed in 5 of 11 (45.4%) patients given bezafibrate and in 2 of 11 (18.1%) patients not given bezafibrate (P < 0.16). Bile acid proportions during the combination therapy did not change. Pruritus disappeared in 1 of 7 bezafibrate-group patients with this symptom. Conclusions. UDCA at 600 mg/day plus bezafibrate at 400 mg/day may be considered as a new therapeutic option for patients with PBC. Received: August 22, 2002 / Accepted: November 22, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" Reprint requests to: T. Kanda     

Additive improvement induced by bezafibrate in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis showing refractory response to ursodeoxycholic acid

Background and Aim: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been widely used in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, some patients are refractory to UDCA. The aim of this study is to clarify the additive improvement induced by bezafibrate in patients refractory to UDCA. Methods: This study was a prospective analysis of 37 consecutive PBC patients. All patients were treated first for 6 months with UDCA, and then with bezafibrate, if their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not decrease more than 40% or within the normal range after 6 months' treatment with UDCA. Clinical parameters were monitored for the subsequent 24 months. Result: Twenty‐two patients (59%) achieved improvement of ALP levels after the treatment with UDCA. Those patients (Group A) had significantly lower levels of ALP at diagnosis than those with abnormal ALP levels after 6 months' treatment with UDCA (Group B; P = 0.020). They continued UDCA monotherapy, and maintained normal ALP levels at subsequent follow ups. However, immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels remained abnormal in eight patients, whose IgM levels at the time of diagnosis were significantly higher than those whose IgM were normalized after 6 months' treatment with UDCA (P = 0.026). Those in Group B were treated additionally with bezafibrate, and 12 patients (80%) achieved normal ALP and IgM levels within 12 months of commencement of therapy. Conclusion: Higher ALP level at diagnosis is one of the predictors for UDCA failure. Combination treatment of bezafibrate in addition to UDCA may be an effective treatment for PBC patients refractory to UDCA.     

Incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cirrhosis: is a double dosage worthwhile?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 28-32 mg/kg/day) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had shown an incomplete response to the standard dose (13-15 mg/kg/day). METHODS: A total of 25 patients with PBC who had been on UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/day) therapy for 24-141 months and had shown persistent elevation of ALP activity at least two times the upper limit of normal were enrolled. The dose of UDCA was increased to 30 (28-32) mg/kg/day and given for 1 yr. RESULTS: A significant but marginal improvement in serum ALP activity (707+/-52 vs 571+/-32, p = 0.001) was noted at 1 yr of treatment with high-dose UDCA. However, levels of total bilirubin (1.1+/-0.2 vs 1.0+/-0.2, p = 0.1), AST (58+/-9 vs 54+/-1, p = 0.1), albumin (4.1+/-0.7 vs 4.0+/-0.08, p = 0.1), or Mayo risk score (4.13+/-0.3 vs 4.12+/-0.3, p = 0.2) remained essentially unchanged. Normalization of liver tests did not occur in any patient, and adverse events were not recorded in any case. CONCLUSIONS: Although UDCA at a dose of 28-32 mg/kg/day is well tolerated, this dosage does not seem to benefit most patients with PBC responding incompletely to a dose of 13-15 mg/kg/day. The results of this pilot study would seem to discourage further controlled trials of high-dose UDCA in suboptimal responders to the standard dose of UDCA.     

熊去氧胆酸治疗不同临床分期原发性胆汁性肝硬化的2年随访观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)对不同临床分期原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者的长期疗效.方法 91例PBC患者通过自身对照的方法随访观察2年,观察应用UDCA治疗的2年内不同阶段症状、生化学指标及肝组织学病理变化.计数资料以例数或百分比描述,用配对计数资料的x2检验及重复测量数据的方差分析等方法进行统计学分析.结果 Ⅱ期患者完成治疗后6个月,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)及γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)水平下降51.9%和67.3%;治疗1年,其生化学应答率为81.25%(巴黎标准)和93.75%(巴塞罗那标准);治疗2年,ALP及GGT下降65.33%和86.75%,IgM水平于治疗1年后由62.5%降至正常;Ⅲ期患者治疗后6个月,ALP及GGT水平下降48.8%和46.6%,治疗1年生化学应答率为36.84%(巴黎标准)和57.89%(巴塞罗那标准),治疗2年ALP及GGT下降76.16%和78.63%,IgM水平于治疗1年后由28.9%降至正常,乏力、黄疸及瘙痒症状有所好转;Ⅳ期患者治疗后6个月,ALP及GGT下降43.65%和33.39%,治疗1年,生化学应答率为30.43%(巴黎标准)和56.52%(巴塞罗那标准),治疗2年,ALP及GGT下降56.84%和53.06%;IgM水平于治疗1年后,17.4%降至正常,黄疸及瘙痒症状也有所好转.11例不同分期PBC患者于治疗前后行肝活组织检查,其中Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期PBC肝脏组织学基本恢复,Ⅲ期及Ⅳ期PBC可见病理学进展,但炎症细胞浸润减轻.结论 UDCA治疗临床Ⅱ期～Ⅳ期的PBC均出现良好的生化学应答,以Ⅱ期应答率最高,并且可改善PBC患者临床症状.对于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期的患者,UDCA治疗可使肝脏组织学恢复,Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者治疗后虽可见病理学进展,但其炎症细胞浸润明显减轻.提示早期诊断、早期治疗,应用UDCA长期治疗是治疗该病的关键.     

Primary biliary cirrhosis with additional features of autoimmune hepatitis: response to therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid

Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) may have additional features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Corticosteroids usually contraindicated in PBC have been advocated for these patients. Patients with antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-positive PBC from two previous randomized, controlled trials were assessed for features of AIH. Their biochemical, immunologic, and histologic responses to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) versus placebo were compared with those without AIH features. The survival of patients testing positive or negative for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) was also examined. Features of AIH were defined by the presence of 2 or more of the following: 1) alanine transaminase (ALT) > 5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN); 2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) > 2 x ULN or positive anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA); and 3) moderate to severe lobular inflammation on pretreatment liver biopsy. Testing for AMA, ASMA, and ANA was done by immunofluorescence. The change in serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), transaminases, IgM, and IgG from baseline to 2 years was compared. Of the 331 patients randomized, 16 (4.8%) had features of AIH (12 UDCA, 4 placebo). The median percent change in serum biochemistry and immunoglobulin values were similar in patients with PBC +/- features of AIH after 2 years of therapy with UDCA. Over 2 years, little change in histologic features of AIH was observed. Survival was similar for patients with PBC with and without ANA. In conclusion, features of AIH in PBC may be transient and response to UDCA therapy similar to patients with PBC without features of AIH.     

Methotrexate (MTX) plus ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

This placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial compared the effects of MTX plus UDCA to UDCA alone on the course of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Two hundred and sixty five AMA positive patients without ascites, variceal bleeding, or encephalopathy; a serum bilirubin less than 3 mg/dL; serum albumin 3 g/dL or greater, who had taken UDCA 15 mg/kg daily for at least 6 months, were stratified by Ludwig's histological staging and then randomized to MTX 15 mg/m2 body surface area (maximum dose 20 mg) once a week while continuing on UDCA. The median time from randomization to closure of the study was 7.6 years (range: 4.6-8.8 years). Treatment failure was defined as death without liver transplantation; transplantation; variceal bleeding; development of ascites, encephalopathy, or varices; a doubling of serum bilirubin to 2.5 mg/dL or greater; a fall in serum albumin to 2.5 g/dL or less; histological progression by at least two stages or to cirrhosis. Patients were continued on treatment despite failure of treatment, unless transplantation ensued, drug toxicity necessitated withdrawal, or the patient developed a cancer. There were no significant differences in these parameters nor to the time of development of treatment failures observed for patients taking UDCA plus MTX, or UDCA plus placebo. The trial was conducted with a stopping rule, and was stopped early by the National Institutes of Health at the advice of our Data Safety Monitoring Board for reasons of futility. In conclusion, methotrexate when added to UDCA for a median period of 7.6 years had no effect on the course of PBC treated with UDCA alone.     

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid and long-term prognosis in primary biliary cirrhosis

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is variable. It has been recently proposed that an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decline of more than 40% in baseline value or a normal level after 1 year of UDCA treatment (Barcelona criteria) could serve as a good marker of long-term prognosis. Our aim was to define the best efficient set of biochemistries able to identify UDCA-treated patients at risk of death or liver transplantation (LT). The efficiency of several combinations of serum bilirubin, ALP, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) threshold values to predict outcome was assessed after 1 year of treatment in 292 patients with PBC. Patients showing ALP <3 upper limit of normal (ULN), AST <2 ULN, and bilirubin 1 mg/dL (relative risk [RR], 1.7), histologic stage >/=3 (RR, 1.5), interface hepatitis (RR, 1.9), and the absence of biochemical response (ALP >3 ULN or AST >2 ULN, or bilirubin >1 mg/dL) (RR, 2.3). Antinuclear antibodies against gp210 or Sp100 proteins were associated with death or LT in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study defines the best efficient biochemical response to UDCA, which, independent of baseline predictive factors, identifies patients with PBC with a good long-term prognosis. Patients who fail to achieve this response and those with interface hepatitis or advanced histological stage should be targeted for further therapeutic research.     

Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Treatment of Enlarged Polycystic Liver

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and polycystic liver disease (PLD) often have elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used to treat biliary tract diseases, but its effect on PLD remains unclear. UDCA was administered for 1 year at a dose of 300 mg daily to seven PLD patients with elevated ALP or GGT levels who were selected for this treatment by experienced clinicians. Laboratory data and liver volumes were compared among three time points: 1 year before UDCA treatment, at the start of UDCA therapy, and 1 year after the start of therapy. Median GGT did not show a significant change between 1 year before UDCA (180 IU/L) and the start of UDCA therapy (209 IU/L), but it decreased significantly to 98 IU/L after 1 year of UDCA therapy (P = 0.015 vs. the start of therapy). ALP showed a significant increase from 1 year before UDCA (456 IU/L) to the start of UDCA therapy (561 IU/L), and then decreased significantly after 1 year of UDCA therapy (364 IU/L). Median liver volume did not show any significant changes among these three time points of assessment. UDCA may be effective for reducing biliary enzyme levels and inhibiting the growth of liver cysts in patients with PLD.     

Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Although primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is generally a progressive disease, the rate of progression varies greatly from one patient to another. The terminal phase is characterized by hyperbilirubinaemia (>100 micromol/l), a major decrease in the number of intrahepatic bile ducts, and extensive fibrosis or cirrhosis. It is now well established that orthotopic liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients entering the terminal phase of the disease.A variety of therapeutic agents have been proposed for treatment of patients with PBC. However, most have been found ineffective or too toxic to be widely used. In contrast, there is accumulating evidence from large therapeutic trials that long-term administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is safe and prolongs survival free of liver transplantation. Treatment with UDCA slows the histological progression and delays the onset of cirrhosis.In patients who have a sub-optimal response to UDCA therapy alone, the combination of colchicine or methotrexate with UDCA has minimal or no additional benefit, whereas that with corticosteroids is more promising but not yet demonstrated.Among causes of non-response to UDCA therapy, the most common is the PBC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. The benefit from the combination of corticosteroids and UDCA in this setting is obvious.Further studies are needed to define the patients who are most likely to respond to UDCA therapy and to assess the benefit of combined medical treatments.     

熊去氧胆酸及其联合激素和免疫抑制剂治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)、UDCA联合泼尼松龙、UDCA联合硫唑嘌呤3种方案治疗对原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)的疗效,并评价影响疗效的危险因素.方法 82例初诊PBC患者随机分为单用UDCA(U组,28例)、UDCA联合泼尼松龙(UP组,27例)、UDCA联合硫唑嘌呤(UA组,27例)3个治疗组,在治疗第0、3、6、12个月采集临床、实验室资料及药物不良反应.主要采用重复测量的方差分析和COX回归进行统计学处理.结果 UP组患者较U组及UA组在乏力和瘙痒程度上有明显改善(P=0.015和P=0.037),U组、UA组无改善.3组患者治疗后丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、总胆红素、直接胆红素(DBIL)和IgM均下降,组内比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).发生疾病进展的患者Mayo危险性评分高(P=0.018)、凝血酶原时间(PT)延长(P=0.042).UP组血糖升高2例、满月脸5例、多毛1例;UA组白细胞下降2例,胆绞痛1例,U组未出现药物不良反应.ALP、GGT、总胆固醇基线水平高是生化缓解的危险因素(P=0.015).总胆红素、DBIL、总胆汁酸增高、PT延长不利于肝生化缓解(P=0.075).结论 3种方案对PBC患者肝脏生化指标、IgM的改善作用相近,UDCA联合泼尼松龙方案可减轻乏力、瘙痒症状,单用UDCA方案不良反应发生率最低.Mayo危险性评分高、PT延长的患者疾病易进展;高水平的ALP、GGT、总胆固醇是生化缓解的危险因素;高水平的总胆红素、DBIL、总胆汁酸、PT不利于生化缓解.

Abstract：

Objective The aims of this study were to compare the clinical and laboratory responses to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy with the combination therapy of UDCA plus prednisolone/azathioprine in primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC),and to investigate the risk factors affecting the therapeutic responses.Methods Eighty-two patients with untreated PBC were divided randomly into three groups.Group U (28 patients) received UDCA alone,group UP(27 patients) received UDCA and pr ednisolone,while group UA (27 patients ) received UDCA and azathioprine.The clinical and laboratory data were recorded after treated for 3,6 and 12 months.Repeated measures ANOVA and COX regression model were used for statistical analysis.Results Fatigue and pruritus were improved only in group UP(P=0.015 and P=0.037 respectively).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT),total bilirubin (TBIL),direct bilirubin (DBIL) and IgM in the 3 groups were decreased (P＜0.05),while there was no statistical significant difference between the three groups (P＞0.05).The patients with disease progression had higher Mayo risk score (MRS) (P=0.018) and prolonged prothrombin time (PT)(P=0.042).In group UP,side-effect associated with glucocorticosteroids occurred in eight patients while there was no side-effect in group U.High baseline levels of ALP、GGT and CHO were risk factors for biochemical remission(P=0.015).The increase of DBIL,TBIL,total bile acid(TBA) and PT did not contribute to the prediction of biochemical remission ( P=0.075 ).Conclusion There are no differences among the three groups in the improvement of hepatic biochemical data and IgM.The combination therapy of UDCA with prednisolone could relieve fatigue and itching.The disease of patients with higher Mayo risk score and prolonged PT tend to progress.High baseline levels of ALP,GGT and CHO are risk factors for biochemical remission.High baseline levels of TBIL,DBIL,TBA and PT could not predict biochemical remission.The incidence of adverse effect is lowest when treated with UDCA alone.     

A prospective trial of colchicine and methotrexate in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine if colchicine or methotrexate improves blood test results, symptoms, and/or liver histology in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed primary biliary cirrhosis whose serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were at least 2 times above normal and who were not yet candidates for liver transplantation received colchicine or methotrexate and were followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: In patients receiving colchicine (n = 43), mean pruritus score decreased from 1.63 to 1.12 (P = 0.04), ALP level from 494 to 355 U/L (P < 0.0001), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level from 79 to 61 U/L (P < 0.0001). In patients receiving methotrexate (n = 42), pruritus score decreased from 1.25 to 0.44 (P = 0.0001), ALP from 478 to 235 U/L (P < 0.0001), and ALT from 96 to 61 U/L (P = 0.0001). Methotrexate but not colchicine significantly improved liver histology (P = 0.005) and serum immunoglobulin G levels (P = 0.0002). Methotrexate improved most blood test results more than colchicine. Serum bilirubin levels increased slightly with each drug, and albumin levels decreased slightly. CONCLUSIONS: Both colchicine and methotrexate improved biochemical test results and symptoms in primary biliary cirrhosis, but the response to methotrexate was greater.     

加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床研究

目的:观察加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗30例原发性胆汁性肝硬化临床分期为早中期患者的临床疗效。方法:60例患者随机分为对照组和治疗组各30例。两组均给予基础治疗,对照组患者同时口服熊去氧胆酸胶囊15～20mg.kg-1.d-1;治疗组患者在对照组基础上加服加味茵陈蒿汤,1剂/d,疗程均为24周。观察治疗前后两组患者的临床疗效、肝功能(γ-GT、ALP、ALT、AST、TBil)、免疫指标(IgM、IgG及IgA)的变化。结果:治疗结束时,治疗组26例(86.7%)患者得到完全反应,与对照组19例(63.3%)比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);两组患者治疗后肝功能(γ-GT、ALP、ALT、AST、TBil)均较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05),治疗组治疗后肝功能下降明显优于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);治疗后两组患者免疫指标IgM、IgG、IgA均较前有所下降,经比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化,较单用熊去氧胆酸疗效更好,并能明显改善患者的肝功能。     

Ursodeoxycholic Therapy in Chronic Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and in Chronic Hepatitis

Objectives: to determine whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is effective in improving primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or chronic hepatitis (CH). Methods: Meta-analysis (MA) was performed on nine papers and three abstracts describing PBC and on nine papers and two abstracts with CH that were published between 1985 and 1992 and were identified through MEDLINE. Studies were included if they fulfilled established quality criteria and the patients had at least liver histology the start and two to three relevant laboratory tests repeated after UDCA. A total of 800 patients with PBC were treated for 6-48 months. In CH, 285 patients were treated for 1-21 months. Results: In PBC, an average daily UDCA of 13 mg/kg day improved the liver tests AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT (all p < 0.001). The effect on serum bilirubin was too heterogeneous to evaluate. When evaluated individually, the studies showed an indeterminate effect on histologic progression and treatment failure. When pooled in MA, UDCA improved the liver histology (p < 0.001) and prevented treatment failure ( p < 0.04). In CH, UDCA at an average of 11 mg/kg day improved AST, ALT, GGT, and total bilirubin (all p, < 0.001) and also ALP ( p = 0.014). There was no effect on histology of CH and no data on treatment failure. Conclusions: MA confirmed a beneficial effect of UDCA in PBC on liver tests, histology, and treatment failure. In CH, there was an improvement in liver tests, but the evidence for histologic effect was sparse and insignificant. Future studies in PBC must explore the disease after UDCA is discontinued. Trials CH should distinguish between the diagnostic subgroups, document patient compliance with UDCA, and include histology and treatment failure as end points.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces CpG-induced IgM production in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Aim:  Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment reduces IgM serum levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) without affecting serum antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) titers. We previously reported that PBC-associated hyper-IgM is secondary to a disease-specific hyperproduction following bacterial stimulation by B cells.
Methods:  We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with PBC and controls and evaluated whether bacterial CpG challenge in the presence of UDCA at concentrations consistent with those achieved in treated patients led to changes in total IgM, IgG-AMA, and IgM-AMA production. Further, p65 phosphorylation and CD38 cell expression were analyzed as measures of activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway and B cell subsets, respectively.
Results:  UDCA significantly reduced CpG-induced total IgM and IgM-AMA production, but had no impact on IgG-AMA production. UDCA also significantly reduced the activation ofnaïve and IgM memory, but not IgG memory, B cells, as represented by CD38 expression levels. Further, p65 phosphorylation was significantly reduced in the presence of UDCA.
Conclusion:  UDCA reduces total and IgM-AMA production in PBMC from patients with PBC by downregulating B cell activation and NF-kB signaling. These data ultimately suggest novel mechanisms of action for UDCA in chronic autoimmune cholestasis.