The Efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis:A 15-year Systematic Review
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the
most common forms of chronic liver disease which may
progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Currently
there are no therapeutic strategies for such disease.
Only lifestyle modification through diet and exercise were
proven to afford some benefit in patients with NAFLD.
No pharmacologic agents have so far been approved for
the treatment of NAFLD or NASH. Therefore, most
clinical efforts have been directed at treating the components
of metabolic syndrome, namely obesity, diabetes,
hypertension and dyslipidemias. Other interventions
are directed at specific pathways potentially involved in
the pathogenesis of NAFLD, such as insulin resistance,
oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, apoptosis,
bacterial overgrowth, and angiotensin pathway. However,
since the FLINT study, the largest NASH study to date,
no drug has ever come close to Obeticholic acid except
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Objective: This lecture
aims to show the potential of Ursodeoxycholic Acid
(UDCA) as a promising therapeutic option for NAFLD.
Methodology: Review if unbiased RCTs on the use of
UDCA for NASH. Conclusion: This is a 15-year Systematic
Review of more than 1840 randomized controlled
trials from 2004-2019 on the effects of Ursodeoxycholic
Acid on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. (NAFLD).
Ursodeoxycholic Acid may yet prove to be a targeted treatment
for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
