The bile acid composition analysis of the lipophilic complex of animal bile

Using gas chromatography, the qualitative composition and the quantitative content of bile acids in the lipophilic complexes of animal bile was studied. As a result of the studies, 6 steroids were identified in the lipophilic complexes of bile, 5 of which are bile acids. It was defined that cholic and deoxycholic acid predominate in all the studied objects, while their amount depends on the used raw materials.

Decrease in Efficacy of Warfarin as a Result of Drug-Drug Interaction (Case Report)

The one of the main aims in modern clinical pharmacology is to provide safe and effective therapy considering a frequent administration of several drugs having different drug-drug interactions. Warfarin belongs to the number of popular anticoagulants which along with its efficiency not infrequently alters anticoagulant characteristics when administered with other drugs and food products. A case of a decrease in the efficacy of warfarin in a patient with mitral stenosis while taking a combined choleretic drug is presented in the article. The components of this choleretic drug (dry animal bile, dry garlic extract, dry nettle extract, activated charcoal) could impair the absorption of warfarin, increase intestinal absorption of vitamin K, and have a negative effect on the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Management of patients receiving anticoagulants should be performed in accordance with clinical recommendations. Prescription of drugs, including multicomponent ones, without proven efficacy, for such patients should be considering the potential drug interaction.

Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid Inhibited AP-1 Activation via Stimulating Glucocorticoid Receptor

Taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) as a primary bioactive substance of animal bile has been shown to exert good anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions in adjuvant arthritis in rats. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of TCDCA have exhibited interesting similarities with the effects of glucocorticoids (GCs). To investigate the potential mechanisms of TCDCA in anti-inflammation and immunomodulation, we used a luciferase reporter assay to evaluate the activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulated by TCDCA. Our results showed that GR was activated by TCDCA in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the elevated expressions of c-Fos and phosphorylated c-Jun induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were reversed by TCDCA. The inhibition of TCDCA on the transactivation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) was observed as well. However, the suppression of TCDCA on the phosphorylation of c-Jun was blocked incompletely by GR inhibitor RU486. These results have indicated that the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of TCDCA involve multiple pathways, with contributions from GR and its related AP-1 signaling pathway.

Accelerated in vitro model for occlusion of biliary stents: investigating the role played by dietary fibre

BackgroundTo develop a new accelerated in vitro model that has implications for investigating the mechanism of biliary stent occlusion and help in the development of new materials that can alleviate this problem.MethodsWe employ a combination of reconstituted animal bile, bacteria and cellulose fibres optimised to reproducibly generate accelerated occlusion of stents, and produce occlusions that closely mimic those found in clinical studies.ResultsOur model affords repeatable, highly accelerated occlusion (within 2–3 days, compared with between about a week to 2 months in previous models). Our results highlight the role of dietary fibre in blockage of stents and demonstrate their importance in the onset of occlusion.ConclusionsThis accelerated model may have implications for developing biliary stents with enhanced patency.