Tauroursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of chronic hepatitis: a multicentre dose-response study

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves the biochemical expression of chronic liver disease. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was recently shown to have more favourable metabolic properties. We designed a multicenter, randomize d, controlled study, aimed at assessing the efficacy of TUDCA for the treat ment of chronic hepatitis. One hundred and fifty-five patients with chronic hepatitis were randomly assigned to receive TUDCA at the daily doses of 25 0, 500 and 1000 mg, or no treatment for 6 months. Aminotransferase and gamm a-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) serum levels decreased with each dose of TU DCA compared with controls (P < 0.001). The 1000 mg dose was followed by mo re marked improvement compared with 250 mg (P < 0.05). A progressive improv ement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with time (P < 0.05) was found only with the two higher doses. TUDCA improves the biochemical expression of ch ronic hepatitis and daily doses of at least 500 mg are recommended. (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.