Improvement of cyclosporin A-induced cholestasis by tauroursodeoxycholate in a long-term study in the rat

Dig Dis Sci. 1994 Jul;39(7):1581-5. doi: 10.1007/BF02088068.

Abstract

Cyclosporin A is an essential immunosuppressive drug, but it is potentially toxic to the kidney and liver. Ursodeoxycholic acid, a hydrophilic bile acid, has been reported to improve cholestasis in liver disease in man. The purpose of this work was to examine whether tauroursodeoxycholate could reduce cyclosporin A-induced hepatic or renal injuries in the rat. After randomization into three groups (N = 8), rats received daily for 17 days: cyclosporin A intraperitoneally alone (30 mg/kg) or cyclosporin A intraperitoneally and tauroursodeoxycholate (60 mg/kg) by gavage; control received the cyclosporin A excipient. Under tauroursodeoxycholate, cholestatic parameters (bile flow, bile salt secretion, serum bile salts, serum bilirubin) improved significantly without affecting cyclosporin A blood levels, and excretion of the drug and its metabolites in bile increased by 47%. Serum creatinine levels were better preserved, although not significantly. These results show that tauroursodeoxycholate prevents cyclosporin A-induced cholestasis in long-term treatment in rats, possibly by facilitating the drug elimination in bile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholestasis / chemically induced
  • Cholestasis / drug therapy*
  • Cholestasis / metabolism
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacokinetics
  • Cyclosporine / toxicity*
  • Isomerism
  • Male
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid
  • ursodoxicoltaurine
  • Cyclosporine