Ursodeoxycholic acid increases differentiation and mineralization and neutralizes the damaging effects of bilirubin on osteoblastic cells

Abstract

UDCA increases osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, and neutralizes the detrimental effects of lithocholic acid, bilirubin and sera from jaundiced patients on osteoblastic cells. Therefore, UDCA may exert a favourable effect on bone in patients which chronic cholestasis.

Ursodeoxycholic acid alleviates cholestasis-induced histophysiological alterations in the male reproductive system of bile duct-ligated rats

“…UDCA is also used to ameliorate other hepatopathies [5][6][7], and even extrahepatic ones [8][9][10][11][12]. In this study, the ameliorative effect of UDCA against cholestasis-induced complications in the reproductive system of male Wistar rats was investigated.…”

“…It is the most widely used therapeutic agent for treating cholestatic liver diseases, and is the only FDA-approved drug to treat primary biliary cirrhosis [4]. UDCA is also used to ameliorate other hepatopathies [5][6][7], and even extrahepatic ones [8][9][10][11][12]. Experimental and clinical data suggests several mechanisms of action for the therapeutic effects of UDCA in cholestatic disorders.…”

Modeling hepatic osteodystrophy in Abcb4 deficient mice

“…This observation could be explained, at least in part, by interactions between vitamin D and bile acid metabolism. Circulating bile acids levels are about ten-fold higher in Abcb4 −/− as compared to wild-type mice (not shown) and in fact, the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA) is known to have deleterious effects on osteoblasts viability and affect the expression of Bglap and Rankl [47, 48]. Moreover, the treatment with LCA in combination with vitamin D decreases the expression of Cyp24a1 , encoding the hydroxylase involved in catabolism of vitamin D. Additionally to bile acids, elevated serum bilirubin in the ABCB4 deficient mouse model [24] could also affect bone formation since unconjugated bilirubin is known to impair osteoblast proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion [34].…”

Testicular immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural changes associated with chronic cholestasis in rats: Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid

“…UDCA is also used to treat extrahepatic ailments [11][12][13][14][15]. It was formerly thought that the choleretic effect of UDCA is what accounted for its mechanism of action [16].…”