Ursodeoxycholic acid is a hydrophilic secondary bile acid used therapeutically for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), gallstone dissolution, and cholestatic liver disease. It is also a microbial metabolite — gut bacteria (7α/β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases) convert chenodeoxycholic acid to UDCA. Emerging evidence supports drug repurposing for CRC chemoprevention and ASD.
Drug Repurposing
- CRC: UDCA reduces colonic epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance; counteracts the pro-carcinogenic effects of deoxycholic acid (DCA) rezen 2022 bile acids carcinogenesis review.
- ASD: UDCA + propionic acid modulation improves behavioral outcomes in autism animal models karakas 2023 ursodeoxycholic acid propionic acid autism animal.
- Colitis-associated CRC: Modulates Treg function in colitis-cancer models wang 2019 fmt colitis associated colon cancer treg.
Cross-References
- bile acid metabolism — UDCA as secondary bile acid
- bile salt hydrolase — upstream microbial enzyme
- colorectal cancer — CRC chemopreventive potential
- propionic acid — co-modulator in ASD models