Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a hydrophilic bile acid known for its therapeutic potential across various health conditions. It has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine and more recently explored in contemporary medicine for its broader benefits¹.

One of the primary benefits of TUDCA is in addressing liver conditions. It can inhibit intestinal inflammation and improve intestinal barrier function². In particular, studies have shown that TUDCA can attenuate hepatic steatosis, reduce inflammatory responses, and help in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)³.

TUDCA also exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is noted for its neuroprotective effects, reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation through its action as a chemical chaperone, helping maintain protein stability and correct folding⁴.

Moreover, TUDCA may improve liver and muscle insulin sensitivity, which is particularly relevant in conditions like diabetes⁵. Despite its potential, further clinical trials and evidence are required to widen its use as an effective therapeutic agent for various diseases².

Footnotes

1. Magdalena Kusaczuk, "Tauroursodeoxycholate—Bile Acid with Chaperoning Activity: Molecular and Cellular Effects and Therapeutic Perspectives," NCBI, 2020. ↩

2. Weijun Wang, "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid inhibits intestinal inflammation and barrier disruption in mice with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease," NCBI, 2018. ↩ ↩²

3. Kareem Khalaf, "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid: a potential therapeutic tool in neurodegenerative diseases," NCBI, 2022. ↩

4. Magdalena Kusaczuk, "Tauroursodeoxycholate—Bile Acid with Chaperoning Activity: Molecular and Cellular Effects and Therapeutic Perspectives," NCBI, 2020. ↩

5. Marleen Kars, "Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid May Improve Liver and Muscle but Not Adipose Tissue Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Men and Women," NCBI, 2010. ↩