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.