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. 2021 Sep 21:18:100348.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100348. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Ursodeoxycholic acid as a potential alternative therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders: Effects on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain

Fei Huang  1   2
Affiliations

Ursodeoxycholic acid as a potential alternative therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders: Effects on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain

Fei Huang. Brain Behav Immun Health. .

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a bile acid component with anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used in clinical medicine for liver diseases for centuries. In neurodegenerative diseases, increased cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation are frequently observed as well. Due to those beneficial effects of UDCA, recent studies have started to investigate the effects of UDCA in pre-clinical models of neurodegeneration. On this account, I review the data reported so far to investigate the role of UDCA in regulating apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in pre-clinical models of neurodegeneration, as well as in homeostatic state. Evidence have shown that UDCA can reduce apoptosis, inhibit reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor - α production in neurodegenerative models. In addition, UDCA is able to induce apoptosis of brain blastoma cells in homeostatic conditions. Overall, this review suggests the therapeutic potential of UDCA in neurodegenerative disorders, proposing UDCA as a potential alternative therapeutic approach for patients suffering from these diseases.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Inflammation; Neurodegeneration; Oxidative stress; Ursodeoxycholic acid.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations of interest None.

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