New aspects of pharmacological effects of ursodeoxycholic acid

: The paper reviews the use of hepatoprotective agents in chronic liver diseases (CLD) and biliary disorders. A variety of clinical studies have shown the beneficial effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in liver disease worldwide. Besides the well-known mechanisms of action of UDCA we could show its prebiotic effect. Several studies have demonstrated that UDCA serves as a potential therapeutic agent for a number non-hepatobiliary disorders including cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, organ transplantation and other.