Ursodeoxycholic acid

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Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Ursodeoxycholic acid (pronounced ur-so-de-ox-i-ko-lik as-id), also known as UDCA or ursodiol, is a secondary bile acid produced by the body and used in the treatment of certain liver and gallbladder conditions.

Etymology

The term "ursodeoxycholic acid" is derived from the Latin ursus, meaning bear, and deoxycholic acid, a type of bile acid. This is because the compound was first identified in the bile of bears.

Medical Uses

Ursodeoxycholic acid is primarily used in the treatment of gallstones and primary biliary cirrhosis, a chronic disease of the liver. It works by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver and by dissolving the cholesterol that makes up most gallstones.

Related Terms

  • Bile Acid: A substance produced by the liver that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats.
  • Gallstones: Hardened deposits within the gallbladder that can cause pain and other complications.
  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: A chronic disease of the liver in which the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed.

See Also

External links

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