Ursodeoxycholic acid in biliary pathology: current concepts

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a drug commonly used in clinical practice. This article is devoted to a review of research of the possibility of using UDCA for biliary system diseases. Prevention of the formation and dissolution of gallstones is one of the first and main indications for administration of UDCA. This was the beginning of the era of this amazing pleiotropic molecule in the 80s of the last century. UDCA preparations are based on chemical synthesis, but they have a natural origin and have a complex effect at the level of the organism as a whole. The therapeutic effect of UDCA is directed at once to several pathogenetic links that normalize human metabolism. This allows to avoid polypragmasy of medical prescriptions and is important not only in terms of the efficacy and safety of the treatment, but also in optimizing the economic costs of purchasing medicines for patients with comorbid pathology, often the elderly. The article briefly presents epidemiology of gallstone disease, clinical manifestations, features of changes in the composition of bile during development of cholelithiasis. The characteristic of the UDCA molecule by the mechanism of action is presented. The advantages of UDCA compared with medicinal herbs and herb-based preparations; in particular, safety of use and the pleiotropic nature of the UDCA molecule, are discussed, as well as its role in normalization of metabolic processes in the human body, especially lipid metabolism. Dysfunctional disorders of the biliary tract, biliary sludge and cholelithiasis are considered in detail. Attention is paid to formation of gallstones against the background of genetic mutations (mutations in the gene encoding the phosphatidylcholine flopase ABCB4; mutations of the UGT1A1 gene responsible for development of the Gilbert’s disease or Gilbert’s syndrome). The recommended doses and mode of administration of UDCA in these indications are indicated according to modern clinical concepts. The accumulated successful experience in their conservative treatment with the help of UDCA instills optimism in achieving positive results in the form of normalization of biliary motility, elimination of biliary insufficiency, elimination of biliary sludge, primary prevention and treatment of gallstone disease.