From the Guidelines
Ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol) has minimal direct effects on gastric motility and is not a recommended treatment for gastric motility disorders. The primary use of ursodiol is to treat gallstones, primary biliary cholangitis, and other hepatobiliary conditions, rather than motility disorders. While ursodiol may indirectly affect the gastrointestinal tract by improving bile flow and reducing bile acid toxicity, it does not significantly alter gastric emptying rates or stomach contractions. Some patients report mild gastrointestinal side effects like nausea or diarrhea when taking ursodiol, but these are not related to substantial changes in gastric motility. For patients with gastric motility disorders, medications specifically targeting motility such as metoclopramide, erythromycin, or prucalopride would be more appropriate choices, as noted in recent guidelines 1. The mechanism of action for ursodiol involves changing the composition of bile by increasing the proportion of non-toxic bile acids, which primarily affects the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts rather than stomach muscle function.
Key points to consider in the management of gastric motility disorders include:
- The use of prokinetic agents like metoclopramide, domperidone, and erythromycin, which can help improve gastric emptying and intestinal motility 1.
- The importance of dietary adjustments, such as a low-fiber, low-fat eating plan, and the use of small, frequent meals to manage symptoms 1.
- The potential benefits and risks of other treatment options, including gastric electrical stimulation and somatostatin analogues like octreotide 1.
- The need to individualize treatment based on the severity of symptoms, the presence of underlying conditions, and the patient's response to therapy 1.
In summary, while ursodiol may have some indirect effects on the gastrointestinal tract, it is not a primary treatment for gastric motility disorders, and other medications and interventions should be considered based on the individual patient's needs and the latest clinical guidelines 1.
From the Research
Ursocol in Gastric Motility
There is limited research on the specific topic of ursocol (ursodeoxycholic acid) in gastric motility.
- The provided studies focus on gastroparesis, a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying due to chronic abnormal gastric motility 2, 3.
- However, none of these studies directly investigate the effect of ursocol on gastric motility.
- Ursodeoxycholic acid is used in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases, gallstone dissolution, and for patients with hepatitis C virus infection to ameliorate elevated alanine aminotransferase levels 4.
- One study found that ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits mast cell activation and reverses biliary injury and fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice and human primary sclerosing cholangitis 5.
- Another study investigated the use of ursodeoxycholic acid in the management of symptomatic gallstone disease, but did not examine its effect on gastric motility 6.
- Overall, there is no direct evidence to support the use of ursocol in gastric motility, and further research is needed to fully understand its potential effects.