Bile Acid Composition (bile + acid_composition)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Endogenous ursodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid in liver disease due to cystic fibrosis

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
Jeffery L. Smith
Focal biliary cirrhosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Although the mechanisms of pathogenesis remain unclear, bile acids have been proposed as potential mediators of liver injury. This study examined bile acid composition in CF and assessed altered bile acid profiles to determine if they are associated with incidence and progression of liver injury in CF-associated liver disease (CFLD). Bile acid composition was determined by gas,liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in bile, urine, and serum samples from 30 children with CFLD, 15 children with CF but without liver disease (CFnoLD), and 43 controls. Liver biopsies from 29 CFLD subjects were assessed histologically by grading for fibrosis stage, inflammation, and disruption of the limiting plate. A significantly greater proportion of endogenous biliary ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was demonstrated in CFnoLD subjects vs. both CFLD subjects and controls (2.4- and 2.2-fold, respectively; ANOVA, P = .04), and a 3-4 fold elevation in endogenous serum UDCA concentration was observed in both CFLD subjects and CFnoLD subjects vs. controls (ANOVA, P < .05). In CFLD, there were significant correlations between serum cholic acid and hepatic fibrosis, inflammation, and limiting plate disruption as well as the ratio of serum cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid to hepatic fibrosis, inflammation, and limiting plate disruption. In conclusion, elevated endogenous UDCA in CFnoLD suggests a possible protective role against liver injury in these patients. The correlation between both cholic acid and cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid levels with histological liver injury and fibrosis progression suggests a potential monitoring role for these bile acids in CFLD. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:1673,1682.) [source]


Bioequivalence of a new liquid formulation of ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalk suspension) and Ursofalk capsules measured by plasma pharmacokinetics and biliary enrichment

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2005
K. D. R. Setchell
Summary Background:, Ursodeoxycholic acid is an approved therapy for hepatobiliary disorders but in infants and children compliance is compromised because it is formulated exclusively as capsules, or tablets. Aim:, To determine the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of a new liquid formulation of ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalk suspension) with a standard capsule (Ursofalk) in a randomized, unblinded, crossover designed study of 24 healthy adults. Methods:, Equivalence was based on single bolus oral plasma pharmacokinetics and biliary ursodeoxycholic acid enrichments after repeat doses. Biliary bile acid composition and hydrophobicity index were also compared. Ursodeoxycholic acid was measured in duodenal bile by high-performance liquid chromatography and in plasma by mass spectrometry. Results:, The mean percentage biliary ursodeoxycholic acid enrichment after administration of the suspension was not significantly different from that obtained with capsules (44.2 ± 11.7% vs. 46.9 ± 10.2%, respectively). The equivalence ratio was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.8,1.1), establishing bioequivalence between suspension and capsules. Both formulations reduced the biliary hydrophobicity index and no differences in bile acid composition were observed between formulations. The plasma pharmacokinetics of both formulations was similar and the tolerability of the suspension was excellent. Conclusions:, A new liquid formulation of ursodeoxycholic acid suitable for paediatric patients is pharmacologically bioequivalent to capsules when given as single, or repeated oral doses. [source]