Ursodeoxycholic acid: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:55, 9 February 2025

A bile acid used in the treatment of certain liver diseases

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), also known as ursodiol, is a bile acid used in the treatment of certain liver diseases. It is a secondary bile acid, which is a metabolic byproduct of intestinal bacteria. UDCA is used to dissolve gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis, a chronic liver disease.

Chemical structure and properties

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a white, crystalline powder that is odorless and tasteless. It is soluble in ethanol and acetic acid, but practically insoluble in water. The chemical formula of UDCA is C₂₄H₄₀O₄.

Mechanism of action

UDCA works by reducing the cholesterol content of bile and bile stones by reducing the secretion of cholesterol from the liver and the reabsorption of cholesterol by the intestines. It also protects liver cells from injury caused by toxic bile acids.

Medical uses

Ursodeoxycholic acid is primarily used to treat primary biliary cholangitis, a condition where the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed. It is also used to dissolve small cholesterol gallstones in patients who do not wish to undergo surgery.

Primary biliary cholangitis

UDCA is the first-line treatment for primary biliary cholangitis. It helps to improve liver function tests and may delay the progression of the disease.

Gallstones

UDCA is used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones in patients with a functioning gallbladder. It is most effective for small stones and in patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Side effects

Common side effects of UDCA include diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Rarely, it can cause severe liver problems.

History

Ursodeoxycholic acid was first identified in bear bile, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It was first synthesized in the 1950s and has been used in Western medicine since the 1980s.

Related pages

References

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-'''Ursodeoxycholic acid''' (UDCA), also known as '''ursodiol''', is a [[bile acid]] produced by the [[liver]] and used in the treatment of [[gallstones]] and [[liver disease]]. It is a secondary bile acid, which means it is not produced directly by the liver but is instead formed in the [[intestine]] from [[chenodeoxycholic acid]].
+{{Short description|A bile acid used in the treatment of certain liver diseases}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-==Chemistry==
+'''Ursodeoxycholic acid''' (UDCA), also known as '''ursodiol''', is a bile acid used in the treatment of certain liver diseases. It is a secondary bile acid, which is a metabolic byproduct of intestinal bacteria. UDCA is used to dissolve gallstones and to treat primary biliary cholangitis, a chronic liver disease.
-Ursodeoxycholic acid is a [[cholanic acid]] with a structure similar to that of [[cholic acid]]. It has a [[hydroxyl group]] at the 3, 7, and 24 positions. The presence of these hydroxyl groups makes the molecule more [[hydrophilic]] (water-loving) than other bile acids, which contributes to its therapeutic effects.
-==Pharmacology==
+==Chemical structure and properties==
-Ursodeoxycholic acid works by increasing the concentration of bile acids in the liver and suppressing the synthesis of [[cholesterol]]. This leads to a decrease in the amount of cholesterol in bile, which can help dissolve cholesterol gallstones. In addition, ursodeoxycholic acid has [[anti-inflammatory]] and [[immunomodulatory]] effects, which can be beneficial in the treatment of certain liver diseases.
+[[File:Ursodeoxycholic_acid_acsv.svg|thumb|Chemical structure of ursodeoxycholic acid]]
+Ursodeoxycholic acid is a white, crystalline powder that is odorless and tasteless. It is soluble in ethanol and acetic acid, but practically insoluble in water. The chemical formula of UDCA is C<sub>24</sub>H<sub>40</sub>O<sub>4</sub>.
-==Clinical uses==
+==Mechanism of action==
-Ursodeoxycholic acid is used in the treatment of several conditions, including:
+UDCA works by reducing the cholesterol content of bile and bile stones by reducing the secretion of cholesterol from the liver and the reabsorption of cholesterol by the intestines. It also protects liver cells from injury caused by toxic bile acids.
-* [[Gallstones]]: Ursodeoxycholic acid can help dissolve small, non-calcified gallstones in patients who are not good candidates for [[gallbladder surgery]].
+==Medical uses==
-* [[Primary biliary cholangitis]]: This is a chronic liver disease in which the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed. Ursodeoxycholic acid can help slow the progression of this disease.
+Ursodeoxycholic acid is primarily used to treat [[primary biliary cholangitis]], a condition where the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed. It is also used to dissolve small [[cholesterol]] [[gallstones]] in patients who do not wish to undergo surgery.
-* [[Primary sclerosing cholangitis]]: Although the evidence is less clear, some studies suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid may also be beneficial in this condition.
+===Primary biliary cholangitis===
+UDCA is the first-line treatment for primary biliary cholangitis. It helps to improve liver function tests and may delay the progression of the disease.
+===Gallstones===
+UDCA is used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones in patients with a functioning gallbladder. It is most effective for small stones and in patients who are not candidates for surgery.
 ==Side effects==
-The most common side effects of ursodeoxycholic acid are [[diarrhea]] and [[abdominal pain]]. Less common side effects include [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[constipation]], and [[skin rash]]. In rare cases, ursodeoxycholic acid can cause [[liver damage]] or [[pancreatitis]].
+Common side effects of UDCA include diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Rarely, it can cause severe liver problems.
-==See also==
+==History==
+Ursodeoxycholic acid was first identified in bear bile, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It was first synthesized in the 1950s and has been used in Western medicine since the 1980s.
+==Related pages==
 * [[Bile acid]]
-* [[Gallstones]]
+* [[Gallstone]]
-* [[Liver disease]]
+* [[Primary biliary cholangitis]]
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
+[[File:Ursodeoxycholic_acid_ball-and-stick.png|thumb|Ball-and-stick model of ursodeoxycholic acid]]
-[[Category:Pharmacology]]
+[[Category:Bile acids]]
-[[Category:Medicine]]
+[[Category:Cholagogues and choleretics]]
-[[Category:Chemistry]]
+[[Category:World Health Organization essential medicines]]
-{{Pharmacology-stub}}
-{{Medicine-stub}}
-{{Chemistry-stub}}