ursodeoxycholic acid

(ursodiol, UDCA)

A secondary bile acid, a conjugate with taurine.

Bile acids are steroid acids, conjugated with taurine or glycine residues to give anions (bile salts).
Primary bile acids are synthesized by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. When secreted into the intestine, primary bile acids can be metabolized into secondary bile acids by bacteria in the colon. Primary and secondary bile acids help the body digest fats.
In humans, taurocholic acid and glycocholic acid (derivatives of cholic acid) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (derivatives of chenodeoxycholic acid) are the major bile salts.

It is synthesized in the liver in some species. It was first identified in bear bile. Ursus is a bear in Latin.

It helps regulate cholesterol by reducing the rate at which the intestine absorbs cholesterol molecules while breaking up micelles containing cholesterol.
In purified form, it is used to treat or prevent several diseases of the liver or bile ducts. It prevents the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and can lead to the dissolution of gallstones.

(Indications)
• cholelithiasis: It reduces the cholesterol saturation of bile and leads to gradual dissolution of cholesterol-rich gallstones. Also, prevention for cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery.
• primary biliary cholangitis (Obeticholic acid is also used.)
• primary sclerosing cholangitis
• intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: It lessens itching in the mother and may reduce the number of preterm births. (Not for neonatal hepatitis and neonatal cholestasis.)
• bile reflux gastritis

(Instructions)
• Take with or immediately after food.
• Try to avoid eating foods that are high in calories or cholesterol.
• Do not take antacid preparations at the same time. (Some indigestion remedies stop it from working properly.)

It can be prepared by electroreduction with stereoselectivity additives such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.