Ursodeoxycholic Acid Therapy for Dissolving Gallstones

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 7-β hydroxy epimer of chenodeoxycholic acid.(CDCA), has been used as a choleretica for 20 years in Japan. Recent report showing increased formationof UDCA in patients treated with CDCA may suggest that UDCA has similar effectto CDCA on bile cholesterol unsaturation. This paper describes the clinical value of UDCAfor the treatment of gallstones.
Seventy-eight patients (22 men and 56 women) who have radiolucent or radiopaquegallstones in functioning gallbladder were studied. UDCA, supplied in tablets (Ursosan®), was given orally 450 mg/day for an average of 6.7 months.
The diappearance or reduction of gallstone size or number or both (dissolving effect) was recognized in 29 of 78 patients (37%). In case of rediolucent stones, dissolving effectwas evaluated in 19 of 43 patients (44%). Diarrhea, troublesame side-effect reported in CDCAtreatment, was only occasionally observed in 4 patients. No other abnormalities was encounteredduring UDCA treatment.
Although the descrimination between CDCA and UDCA in the gallstone dissolutionefficacy remains to be determined, our own results may indicate that UDCA offer a usefultreatment for cholesterol gallstones in functioning gallbladder.