Bile acids, non-alcoholic fatty liver and pancreatic disease: chained by ursodeoxycholic acid?

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty pancreatic disease (NAFPD) develop against the background of metabolic syndrome, systemic insulin resistance, oxidative stress, changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. There are a number of similarities between NAFLD and NAFPD: the natural course of diseases proceeds from steatosis through inflammation to fibrosis and cancer, one of the etiopathogenetic factors is the disbalance of bile acids synthesis and low expression of farnesoid receptor X (FXR). One of the possible methods of treatment NAFLD and NAFPD is a correction of the biosynthesis of bile acids and increase FXR expression with FXR agonists. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a selective FXR agonist. It has a multipled spectrum of actions: anticholestatic, anti-apoptic, antioxidant, cytoprotective, antifibrotic, hypocholesterolemic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective. The ability of UDCA correct lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in combination with anti-inflammatory and antiapoptic effects may be of great importance for the treatment of NAFLD and NAFPD. The article reviews the results of clinical and experimental studies describing the efficacy of UDCA in NAFLD and some pancreatic diseases. It has been suggested that the therapy of UDCA can reduce the severity of NAFLD and NAFPDand improve the functional activity of hepatocytes and β cells. The need for randomized clinical trials was emphasized in order to make an informed decision on the expediency of including UDCA in the treatment of NAFLD and NAFPD.