Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Followed by Primary Suture Using a Modified Bile Duct Incision

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Followed by Primary Suture Using a Modified Bile Duct Incision

Published on: May 2, 2025

Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. A Swedish multicentre, double-blind,

L S Eriksson¹, R Olsson, H Glauman

¹Dept. of Medicine, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology

|February 1, 1997

Abstract

Background:

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to improve serum levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, it is still uncertain whether UDCA treatment also improves symptoms, liver histology, and survival without liver transplantation.

Methods:

We randomized 116 patients with PBC to receive 0.5 g UDCA (n = 60) or placebo (n = 56) daily for 2 years. During the next 2 years, 80% of the UDCA-treated patients and 65% of the placebo-treated patients continued to take UDCA.

Results:

UDCA improved serum enzyme values but not survival, symptoms, serum bilirubin levels, or liver histology. There was no significant difference in response between initially symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Conclusions:

UDCA in a dosage of 7.7 mg/kg body weight is of little benefit in PBC. This does not exclude the possibility that larger doses have beneficial effects.

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation.

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care

The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Incidence, clinical presentation and mortality of liver cirrhosis in Southern Sweden: a 10-year population-based study.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2016

Altered immunoregulatory profile during anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinical and experimental immunology·2012

High dose ursodeoxycholic acid in primary sclerosing cholangitis does not prevent colorectal neoplasia.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2012

Fatigue in out-patients with inflammatory bowel disease is common and multifactorial.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2011

Clinical trial: the safety and short-term efficacy of recombinant cholera toxin B subunit in the treatment of active Crohn's disease.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2009

Acute liver failure in Sweden: etiology and outcome.

Journal of internal medicine·2007

See all related articles