Potential therapeutic benefit of ursodeoxycholic acid in the management of non hepato-biliary upper gastrointestinal disorders.

Objectives: To examine the potential therapeutic effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Methods: A search was conducted using EBSCO, Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science as well as international guidelines using MESH terms for treatment of UDCA for diseases of the upper gastrointestinal disorders in adult humans without regard to publication language or date restrictions.

Results: A total of 256 articles and 22 guidelines were initially identified, and 221 were excluded. Final revision of 13 articles and 22 guidelines confirmed that UDCA is found to have a cytoprotective role in Barret's esophagus within esophageal disorders, improves abdominal pain in functional dyspepsia, and does not alter Helicobacter pylori colonization or inflammation. Conflicting results are noted regarding the role of UDCA in the duodenum as chemopreventive treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis, with polyps regressing and their growth characteristics improving with low doses (10-25 mg/kg/day). On the contrary, no positive effect was noted upon the combination with Celecoxib and with doses of 1000-2000 mg or 20-30 mg/kg/d. Gastrointestinal side effects were predominantly reported. No side effects necessitated hospitalization or ICU admission.

Conclusion: Ursodeoxycholic acid has a limited therapeutic role in functional dyspepsia. There is promising evidence that it may serve as a chemopreventive for Familial adenomatous polyposis and Barret's esophagus, although further research is needed to confirm these findings..