Pharmacological properties : תכונות פרמקולוגיות

Pharmacodynamic Properties

5.1   Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: ursodeoxycholic acid and liver therapy, lipotropics, 
ATC code: A05AA02 and A05B


Small amounts of UDCA are found in human bile.

After oral administration, UDCA reduces cholesterol saturation of the bile by inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the intestine and decreasing cholesterol secretion into the bile. Presumably as a result of dispersion of the cholesterol and formation of liquid crystals, a gradual dissolution of cholesterol gallstones occurs.

According to current knowledge, the effect of UDCA in hepatic and cholestatic diseases is thought to be due to a relative exchange of lipophilic, detergent-like, toxic bile acids for the hydrophilic, cytoprotective, non-toxic UDCA, to an improvement in the secretory capacity of the hepatocytes, and to immune-regulatory processes.

Pharmacokinetic Properties

5.2    Pharmacokinetic properties

Orally administered UDCA is rapidly absorbed in the jejunum and upper ileum through passive transport and in the terminal ileum through active transport. The rate of absorption is generally 60-80%. After absorption, UDCA undergoes almost complete hepatic conjugation with the amino acids glycine and taurine and is then excreted with the bile. First-pass clearance through the liver is up to 60%.
Depending on the daily dose and underlying disorder or condition of the liver, the more hydrophilic UDCA accumulates in the bile. At the same time, a relative decrease in other, more lipophilic, bile acids is observed.
Under the influence of intestinal bacteria, there is partial degradation to 7-keto- lithocholic acid and lithocholic acid. Lithocholic acid is hepatotoxic and causes liver parenchyma damage in a number of animal species. In humans, only very small amounts are absorbed, which are sulphated in the liver and thus detoxified, before being excreted in the bile and ultimately in the faeces.

The biological half-life of UDCA is 3.5-5.8 days.