Abstract
Emerging pathophysiologic insights are leading to novel approaches to treating fibrosing cholangiopathies. The current treatment, using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), may slow the progression of some chronic cholangiopathies but cannot heal them. Apart from immunosuppressive interventions aimed at minimizing immune-mediated damage, the use of specific modifiers of hepatobiliary secretory and cytoprotective mechanisms may eventually give rise to a new class of disease-modifying anti-cholangiofibrotic drugs.
MeSH terms
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Biliary Tract / cytology
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Biliary Tract / drug effects
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Biliary Tract / physiopathology
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Cholangitis, Sclerosing / drug therapy*
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Cholangitis, Sclerosing / etiology
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Cholangitis, Sclerosing / physiopathology
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Cholestasis / drug therapy
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Cholestasis / physiopathology
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Hepatocytes / drug effects
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Hepatocytes / physiology
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / drug effects
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology
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Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use
Substances
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
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Ursodeoxycholic Acid