Functional gall-bladder disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: clinical features and new approaches to therapy

Introduction. Statistical data indicate a frequent combination of functional biliary disorders with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of Phosphogliv® URSO in patients with functional disorders of the gall-bladder, biliary sludge in combination with fatty hepatosis in comparison with the group receiving monotherapy ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

Materials and methods. The study included 30 patients with a diagnosis of functional gall-bladder disorder, biliary sludge in combination with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients of the main group received monotherapy with Phosphogliv® URSO. The comparison group received monotherapy UDCA. After three-month therapy, the dynamics of clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and ultrasound parameters were assessed.

Results. Positive dynamics of clinical manifestations of functional disorders of the gallbladder, as well as parameters of cholestatic syndrome and bilirubin level was observed in both groups. In patients taking Phosphogliv® URSO, a significant decrease in cytolysis syndrome indicators was recorded, a significant difference was revealed in relation to an increase in HDL levels and a decrease in the atherogenic coefficient in the main group. When assessing the ultrasound parameters of the gall-bladder in patients of group 1, a significant decrease in the thickness of its wall, reverse development of biliary sludge, an improvement in the contractile function of the gall-bladder in comparison with the UDCA monotherapy group were revealed.

Conclusion. The use of a combined medicine containing glycyrrhizic acid and UDCA (Phosphogliv® URSO) can be recommended for patients with functional disorders of the gallbladder, biliary sludge and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, given its more pronounced anticytolytic effect, restoration of functional disorders of the gallbladder and resolution of biliary sludge in comparison with monotherapy UDCA.

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