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.     

熊去氧胆酸对肝移植术后受肝者肝功能异常的治疗作用

熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)在肝移植后主要拮抗疏水性胆汁酸的细胞毒性,但其对肝移植患者的保护作用尚存争议[1].本研究观察了华西医院127例肝移植术后患者使用UDCA的临床资料,现报道如下.一、资料与方法1.研究对象:收集我院2002年1月-2009年3月712例肝移植患者.术后平均随访35个月,随访方案采用移植术后3月内每半月随访1次,术后3～6个月患者每月随访1次,术后6～ 12个月患者每2个月随访1次,术后1年以上患者每3个月随访1次.符合本实验入组条件者127例(1例患者因不良反应退出研究).     

熊去氧胆酸在治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病中的作用

非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）是一种以肝细胞脂肪变性和脂质沉积为特征,但无过量饮酒史的临床综合征。NAFLD疾病谱包括非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）及其相关的肝纤维化和肝硬化。虽然NAFLD现已成为全球最常见的肝脏疾病之一,但目前仍无有效治疗手段和药物。现有研究提示熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）对NAFLD有一定治疗作用,本文就基于循证医学证据总结UDCA在NAFLD治疗方面的现状,并就UDCA的疗效作一评价和综述。     

熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化研究进展

原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）是一种慢性肝内胆汁淤积性疾病．好发于中年女性。PBC最常见的死因为肝功能衰竭，这曾是肝移植的首要指征，但有效的治疗已减少了这类患者对肝移植的需求，并使其预期寿命得以延长.熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）是目前较为公认的治疗PBC的药物．但仍存在很大争议。本文就UDCA治疗PBC的作用机制、临床疗效依据、临床应用等方面的研究进展作一综述。     

Methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. A two year prospective follow-up

Summary One hundred and thirty seven rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients refractory to D-penicillamine and some of them (15%) refractory to other slow active drugs were treated with oral methotrexate (MTX) (10–15mg weekly). After 12–24 months of treatment, 94 and 74 patients respectively showed a significant improvement as judged by duration of morning stiffness (p<0.0001), grip strength (p<0.0001), degree of joint swelling (p<0.01) and tenderness (p<0.0001) compared to pre-treatment values. This clinical improvement was also associated with a decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.0001), decrease of C-reactive protein (p<0.0001) and with improvement of anaemia (p<0.05). No changes were seen in rheumatoid factor titres. Seventy-four of the patients were followed for up to 24 months. Thirty-one of them (23%) had complete remission and 43 (31%) had an excellent response. Adverse drug reaction during MTX therapy included: elevated liver enzymes in 34 patients, mucosal ulcers in 21, nausea and vomiting in 8, diarrhoea in 4, leukopenia in 2, interstitial pneumonitis in one, intestinal bleeding in one and finally septic arthritis in another patient. The majority of these side effects were resolved without sequelae. However, 15 patients (11%) with adverse drug reactions had to discontinue the treatment. Forty-one of our patients who received a cumulative mean dose of MTX of 1550.5±235.5 mg underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy. Ten patients had normal tissue, 12 had minimal changes, 13 nonspecific changes and 6 patients had mild fibrosis. We conclude that MTX therapy in refractory RA patients appears to be effective, but requires close monitoring for toxicity. Hepatotoxicity with fibrosis and cirrhosis due to long term MTX therapy may be relatively uncommon in RA patients.     

熊脱氧胆酸促进肝脏部分切除后肝细胞再生

目的 探讨熊脱氧胆酸（ｕｒｓｏｄｅｏｘｙｃｈｏｌｉｃ ａｃｉｄ，ＵＤＣＡ）对胆道梗阻肝脏部分切除（ＰＨ）后肝细胞再生的影响。方法Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠随机分为正常７０％肝部分切除组（Ｎ－ＰＨ）、胆道梗阻２周７０％ＰＨ组（ＢＤＯ－ＰＨ）、ＢＤＯ—ＰＨ ＵＤＣＡ治疗组及ＢＤＯ—ＰＨ生理盐水治疗组。观察肝组织学改变，检测７０％ＰＨ后肝细胞ＢｒｄＵ标记、肝内肝细胞生长因子（ＨＧＦ）及其受体Ｍｅｔ ｍＲＮＡ表达。结果 ＵＤＣＡ治疗能促进胆道梗阻后肝功能好转并减轻肝组织学病变；ＵＤＣＡ治疗组大鼠７０％ＰＨ后肝内ＨＧＦ／Ｍｅｔ ｍＲＮＡ高峰表达值均高于ＢＤＯ—ＰＨ组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５），肝细胞 ＢｒｄＵ高峰标记指数（５９．３９±１０．８２）％高于 ＢＤＯ—ＰＨ组肝细胞 ＢｒｄＵ高峰标记指数（３６．２２±８．３７％（ｔ＝４．１４９，Ｐ＜０．０１），而与Ｎ－ＰＮ组肝细胞ＢｒｄＵ高峰标记指数（６８．６４±１１．２６％）％相比差异无显著性（ｔ＝１．４５１，Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论 ＵＤＣＡ通过缓解胆道梗阻后肝组织损害并上调７０％ＰＨ后肝内ＨＧＦ／Ｍｅｔ ｍＲＮＡ表达，从而促进胆道梗阻肝脏部分切除后肝细胞再生。     

Efficacy of Magnesium Trihydrate of Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Chenodeoxycholic Acid for Gallstone Dissolution: A Prospective Multicenter Trial

Background/Aims

Cholecystectomy is necessary for the treatment of symptomatic or complicated gallbladder (GB) stones, but oral litholysis with bile acids is an attractive alternative therapeutic option for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of magnesium trihydrate of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on gallstone dissolution and to investigate improvements in gallstone-related symptoms.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter, phase 4 clinical study to determine the efficacy of orally administered magnesium trihydrate of UDCA and CDCA was performed from January 2011 to June 2013. The inclusion criteria were GB stone diameter ≤15 mm, GB ejection fraction ≥50%, radiolucency on plain X-ray, and asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic patients. The patients were prescribed one capsule of magnesium trihydrate of UDCA and CDCA at breakfast and two capsules at bedtime for 6 months. The dissolution rate, response rate, and change in symptom score were evaluated.

Results

A total of 237 subjects were enrolled, and 195 subjects completed the treatment. The dissolution rate was 45.1% and the response rate was 47.2% (92/195) after 6 months of administration of magnesium trihydrate of UDCA and CDCA. Only the stone diameter was significantly associated with the response rate. Both the symptom score and the number of patients with symptoms significantly decreased regardless of stone dissolution. Adverse events necessitating discontinuation of the drug, surgery, or endoscopic management occurred in 2.5% (6/237) of patients.

Conclusions

Magnesium trihydrate of UDCA and CDCA is a well-tolerated bile acid that showed similar efficacy for gallstone dissolution and improvement of gallstone-related symptoms as that shown in previous studies.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid and superoxide anion

AIM: To investigate the ability of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to scavenge superoxide anion (Of). METHODS: We assessed the ability of UDCA to scavenge (O2-) generated by xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X-XO) in a cell-free system and its effect on the rate of O2--induced ascorbic acid (AA) oxidation in hepatic post-mitochondrial supernatants. RESULTS: UDCA at a concentration as high as 1 mmol/L did not impair the ability of the X-XO system to generate O2-, but could scavenge O2- at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mmol/L, and decrease the rate of AA oxidation at a concentration of 100 lmol/L CONCLUSION: UDCA can scavenge O2-, an action that may be beneficial to patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in gallbladder disease,a story not yet completed

Gallstone disease represents an important issue in the healthcare system.The principal non-invasive nonsurgical medical treatment for cholesterol gallstones is still represented by oral litholysis with bile acids.The first successful and documented dissolution of cholesterol gallstones was achieved in 1972.Since then a large number of investigators all over the world,have been dedicated in biochemical and clinical studies on ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA),demonstrating its extreme versatility.This editorial is aimed to provide a brief review of recent developments in UDCA use,current indications for its use and,the more recent advances in understanding its effects in terms of an antiinflammatory drug.     

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Suppresses Extent of Lipid Peroxidation in Diseased Liver in Experimental Cholestatic Liver Disease

The therapeutic benefit of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in treating cholestatic liver disease is globally recognized. It is generally accepted that the mechanism of action of UDCA can be attributed to several diverse processes that appear to be uniformly targeted towards minimizing the deleterious actions of accumulated hydrophobic bile acids in the cholestatic liver. Since hydrophobic bile acids are prooxidants, emerging in vitro evidence suggests that UDCA may have an antioxidant mechanism of action. We hypothesize that UDCA suppresses the extent of lipid peroxidation in the cholestatic liver. This hypothesis was tested by assessing the extent of lipid peroxidation in livers harvested from chronic bile duct ligated (CBDL) rats dosed daily for 24 days with 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg UDCA. The extent of lipid peroxidation was evaluated by determining the hepatic content of conjugated dienes, lipid peroxides, and malondialdehyde. The data were compared with identical data collected from unoperated control and 24-day bile duct manipulated (SO) rats. In the two groups of control rats, UDCA has no effect on the serum indices of liver function. In CBDL rats, UDCA suppressed the increased extent of lipid peroxidation in the liver in a dose-dependent manner in the absence of improvement of laboratory parameters of liver function and hepatic architecture. In conclusion, UDCA suppresses the augmented extent of lipid peroxidation in the diseased liver of CBDL rats.     

Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Abstract  Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has recently been combined with interferon (IFN) in the treatment of individuals with chronic hepatitis C. However, whether its addition results in a long-term favourable response to IFN remains unclear. A prospective randomized trial of IFN alone versus IFN plus UDCA was therefore undertaken in 52 patients with chronic hepatitis C. All patients received a 24 week course of IFN-α (6 × 10⁶ U/day for 2 weeks and then three times a week for 22 weeks) and half also received UDCA (600 mg/day) with IFN and then alone for 48 additional weeks. Normalization of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) concentrations at 0, 24 and 48 weeks after cessation of IFN therapy was apparent in 77, 42 and 42% of patients in the IFN-alone group and in 77, 54 and 42% of patients in the IFN plus UDCA group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to response rate to IFN and the addition of UDCA to IFN treatment had no significant effect on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viraemia. During the follow-up period, 10 of 20 patients with normal serum ALT at the end of IFN treatment relapsed in the IFN-alone group compared with 11 of 20 patients in the IFN plus UDCA group. Among these relapsed patients, serum ALT concentration was significantly lower in the IFN plus UDCA group than in the IFN-alone group during the follow-up period. Twenty-four weeks after cessation of IFN therapy, the percentage of patients with HCV-RNA in their serum who showed a normalization of serum ALT concentrations was significantly higher in the IFN plus UDCA group than in the IFN-alone group (44 vs 6%). Thus, although the addition of UDCA was not associated with a favourable long-term response to HCV viraemia, it did reduce the risk and the severity of relapse following the cessation of IFN therapy.     

Prevention of Biliary Stent Occlusion by Ursodeoxycholic Acid plus Norfloxacin

We report a prospective randomized multicenter trial that tested the efficacy of combining ursodeoxycholic acid and norfloxacin in the prevention of polyethylene stent clogging in patients with obstructive jaundice due to an unresectable malignancy at the level of the common bile duct. After insertion of a 10-Fr straight polyethylene stent, patients were allocated to receive oral treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and norfloxacin, or conservative treatment. The primary outcome measure was stent blockage within six months. Thirty-three patients (group I) received ursodeoxycholic acid and norfloxacin, and 29 received conservative treatment (group II). At six months, cumulative stent patency rate did not differ significantly between group I (47 ± 11%, mean ± se, median 149 days) and group II patients (24 ± 10%, mean ± se, median 100 days, P = 0.23, log-rank test). Four stents were clogged by ursodeoxycholic acid. Survival did not differ between the two groups. Combined therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid and norfloxacin failed to improve stent patency. Moreover, ursodeoxycholic acid can cause stent obstruction.     

Low dose pulse methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: an 8-year experience with hepatotoxicity

Summary The clinical utility of standard liver function tests for monitoring low dose pulse methotrexate therapy is reviewed in 163 rheumatoid arthritis patients over an eightyear period. Abnormalities of hepatic enzymes were seen in 58% of patients but led to cessation of therapy in only 5%. Moderate alcohol intake did not affect the frequency of liver test abnormalities. Abnormalities were seen more frequently in patients with longer duration of methotrexate therapy and in those with higher total dose. There was no correlation between liver test abnormalities and day of serum sampling relative to day of methotrexate dosing, nor was a correlation seen between liver test abnormalities and total weekly dose of methotrexate. Methotrexate has been demonstrated to be an effective drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical utility of standard liver tests to predict the potential for hepatotoxicity is questionable.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in mice

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: BALB/c nude mice were randomized into four groups 24 h before subcutaneous injection of hepatocarcinoma BEL7402 cells suspended in phosphate buffered saline(PBS) into the right flank. The control group(n = 10) was fed a standard diet while treatment groups(n = 10 each) were fed a standard daily diet supplemented with different concentrations of UDCA(30,50 and 70 mg/kg per day) for 21 d. Tumor growth was measured once each week,and tumor volume(V) was calculated with the following equation: V =(L × W2) × 0.52,where L is the length and W is the width of the xenograft. After 21 d,mice were killed under ether anesthesia,and tumors were excised and weighed. Apoptosis was evaluated through detection of DNA fragmentation with gel electrophoresis and the terminaldeoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of apoptosisrelated proteins BAX,BCL2,APAF1,cleaved caspase-9,and cleaved caspase-3.RESULTS: UDCA suppressed tumor growth relative to controls. The mean tumor volumes were the following: control,1090 ± 89 mm3; 30 mg/kg per day,612 ± 46 mm3; 50 mg/kg per day,563 ± 38 mm3; and 70 mg/kg per day,221 ± 26 mm3. Decreased tumor volumes reached statistical significance relative to control xenografts(30 mg/kg per day,P 0.05; 50 mg/kg per day,P 0.05; 70 mg/kg per day,P 0.01). Increasing concentrations of UDCA led to increased DNA fragmentation observed on gel electrophoresis and in the TUNEL assay(control,1.6% ± 0.3%; 30 mg/kg per day,2.9% ± 0.5%; 50 mg/kg per day,3.15% ± 0.7%,and 70 mg/kg per day,4.86% ± 0.9%). Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of BAX,APAF1,cleaved-caspase-9 and cleaved-caspase-3 proteins,which induce apoptosis,but decreased expression of BCL2 protein,which is an inhibitor of apoptosis,following administration of UDCA. CONCLUSION: UDCA suppresses growth of BEL7402 hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo,in part through apoptosis induction,and is thus a candidate for therapeutic treatment of HCC.     

熊去氧胆酸治疗老年原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床研究

目的探讨老年原发性胆汁肝硬化（PBC）的临床特征、诊断和治疗效果。方法将66例诊断为PBC的病人分为老年组40例,中年组26例,比较两组的临床表现、生化免疫指标（碱性磷酸酶：ALP、谷氨酰转肽酶：GGT、抗线粒体抗体：AMA）。两组病例均给予口服熊去氧胆酸（UDCA：优思弗）治疗,服药8W后比较疗效。结果90％病人因体检发现ALP、GGT升高就诊,治疗前两组患者的ALP、GGT升高程度差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。非特异性皮肤瘙痒是老年PBC患者的主要表现,中年组患者中88．5％无症状,明显高于老年组的37．5％;口服优思弗8W后,两组ALP、GGT均较治疗前明显程度降低（P〈0．05）。老年组中3例肝硬化患者服用优思弗后,其症状、体征及ALP、GGT均无改善,2例死亡。服药后两组患者乏力、皮肤瘙痒症状均无改善,影像学也无变化。结论：（1）PBC早期缺乏特异症状;（2）AMA对PBC诊断有重要意义,ALP、GGT的升高早于黄疸、肝肿大出现。（3）应重视体检中无法解释的ALP、GGT异常升高。（4）UDCA对早期原发性胆汁肝硬化疗效满意。（5）老龄可能是影响PBC患者预后的因素之一。     

肝硬化及非肝消化病患者胆酸,透明质酸及层粘蛋白的变化

目的:研究血清胆酸(CG)、透明质酸(HA)及层粘蛋白(LN)对肝硬化及非肝消化病的诊断意义.方法:用放射免疫法检测血清CG、HA及LN,并计算它们之间的相关系数.结果:肝硬化患者血清CG、HA及LN明显高于健康人及非肝消化病组,差别有高度显著性,HA与LN存在正相关关系.结论:联合检测CC、HA及LN对肝硬化非盯消化病具有重要的意义.     

Prevalence and risk factors of methotrexate hepatoxicity in Asian patients with psoriasis

AIM: To establish the prevalence of liver fibrosis and to evaluate the possible risk factors for fibrosis and progression in Asian with psoriasis treated with methotrexate (MTX) based on liver histology. METHODS: Patients with psoriasis treated with MTX referred to the Department of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital for liver biopsy were identified and retrospectively studied. Patient case notes and electronic records were retrieved from the hospital database and relevant data collated. Histological changes of liver biopsies were staged according to Roengik score. The factors assessed were age, gender, ethnicity, cumulative dose of MTX, presence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ethanol use. We also assessed the histological change in those with multiple liver biopsies. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata V.9.2. RESULTS: There were altogether 59 patients (median age 50 years old, range 22-81 years old, male, 88%) with 98 biopsies liver biopsies; 6 normal [median cumulative dose (MCD), 2285 mg]; 62 gradeⅠ (MCD 2885 mg), 23 grade Ⅱ (MCD 1800 mg) and 7 grade Ⅲ (MCD 1500 mg). There was no grade Ⅳ or cirrhosis. The prevalence of liver fibrosis (grade Ⅲ) was 12%. Of the factors assessed, diabetes (P=0.001) and hypertension (P=0.003) were significant for fibrosis on univariate analysis but not on multivariate analysis. Of the 26 patients who had more than one biopsy (median 2, range 2-6), 57.7% (n=15) were stable, 34.6% (n=9) had progression and 7.7% (n=2) had regression of histological grades. On univariate analysis, nonChinese ethnicity (P=0.031), diabetes (P=0.018), and hyperlipidemia (P=0.011) were predictive of progression of grades, but these were not significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Liver fibrosis in Asian psoriatic population on MTX is comparable to the West. Cumulative dose was not associated with liver fibrosis. Metabolic syndrome is important factors.