[UDCA in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

As a signaling molecule with system endocrine function, UDCA improves insulin sensitivity by activating the nuclear farnezoid X-receptor; as a ligand for the TGR5/Gpbar-1 receptor, UDCA is able to stimulate the secretion of GLP-1. UDCA ameliorate of the anti-oxidative defenses in NAFLD, normalizes NAD+/NADH ratio, beta-oxidation. UDCA improves the liver biochemical and histological picture in NASH, also reduces hepatocytes apoptosis and restores adiponectin levels; in other studies, these data are not confirmed. In the experiment, UDCA prevents the development of steatosis in the liver. UDCA may increase efficiency in combination with statins, thiazolidinediones, vitamin E. Further controlled prospective trials are needed for research of the UDCA effect in NAFLD.