Ursodeoxycholic acid for treatment of fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia in morbidly obese patients

Abstract

Bile acids have recently been identified as major integrators of hepatic fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism. We explored potential mechanism(s) of action of ursodeoxycholic acid (20 mg/kg/day in 3 weeks) in 40 morbidly obese patients (mean BMI >40 kg/m(2)) with suggested fatty liver disease awaiting bariatric surgery. At follow-up half a year after surgery, patients had decreased their BMI by approximately 10 kg/m(2), which resulted in significant improvements of liver function tests, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.