Master’s Thesis at the University of Babylon on Cholestasis
The College of Medicine, University of Babylon – Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology – discussed the master’s thesis of Ali Imad Mahdi entitled:
“Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid, Fenofibrate, and Resveratrol on a Mouse Model of Cholestasis”
The thesis was supervised by Asst. Prof. Majid Kazem Abbas.
During his defense, the researcher explained that cholestasis is a mechanical or functional impairment of normal bile flow, leading to the accumulation of bile acids, dissolution of cell membranes, generation of free radicals, oxidative stress, and a pro-inflammatory response. Cholestasis can be observed across all age groups, with no significant differences documented between males and females. Current treatment options have limited effectiveness and do not benefit all patient types. Moreover, symptom relief is often inadequate, significantly affecting quality of life. The development of new pharmacological therapies is essential to address unmet clinical needs, improve patient outcomes, and potentially reduce the need for liver transplantation.
In this study, ursodeoxycholic acid, fenofibrate, and resveratrol were investigated:
• Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a natural bile acid used in the treatment of various liver and gallbladder diseases. It helps dissolve gallstones, treat cholestatic liver diseases, and provides protective effects against bile acid–induced liver injury.
• Fenofibrate is an oral fibrate-class drug used to manage dyslipidemia, with potential benefits in certain liver conditions such as cholestasis.
• Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound found in grapes, berries, and red wine. Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is being studied for potential benefits in cardiovascular, metabolic, and liver diseases including cholestasis.
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects and impact on liver function markers against alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis.
The study concluded that ursodeoxycholic acid (100 mg/kg), fenofibrate (100 mg/kg), and resveratrol (30 mg/kg) improved ANIT-induced cholestasis to varying degrees, owing to their hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects as demonstrated by biochemical tests