TUDCA Research
43 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Pharmacological landscape of endoplasmic reticulum stress: Uncovering therapeutic avenues for metabolic diseases
Alotaibi G et al. • European journal of pharmacology (2025)
All rights reserved.
- The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a fundamental role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by ensuring proper protein folding, lipid metabolism, and calcium regulation.
- However, disruptions to ER function, known as ER stress, activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore balance.
- Additionally, it discusses emerging therapeutic areas, including soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors for metabolic disorders and MERCs modulation for neurological diseases.
Gut microbiota-derived metabolites in immunomodulation and gastrointestinal cancer immunotherapy
Luo W et al. • Frontiers in immunology (2025)
Collectively, microbiota-derived metabolites represent promising targets for precision diagnosis and treatment in GI cancer immunotherapy.Copyright © 2025 Luo, Li, Pan and Luo.
- In addition, dietary interventions, probiotics, engineered microbes, and plant-derived nanoparticles offer novel strategies to reshape the microbiota-metabolite-immune axis and improve immunotherapy outcomes.
- To pinpoint the sites of metabolite action and mitigate translational risks, we highlight immune-competent organoid co-culture systems.
- These platforms enable quantitative assessment of exposure-response thresholds, dissection of context-dependent effects, and in vitro pre-evaluation of the feasibility and safety of metabolite-based immunologic adjuvants combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Diseases
Izenberg A • Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) (2023)
The evolving understanding of the genetic and pathophysiologic underpinnings of disease offers promise for more effective and clinically meaningful treatments in the future.
- Systematic review examining TUDCA efficacy
- Published in Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Insights by which TUDCA is a potential therapy against adiposity
Freitas IN et al. • Frontiers in endocrinology (2023)
Therefore, TUDCA has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity and comorbidities.Copyright © 2023 Freitas, da Silva Jr, Oliveira, Lourençoni Alves, Dos Reis Araújo, Camporez, Carneiro and Davel.
- In this review, we highlight the effects of TUDCA and receptors TGR5 and FXR on adipose tissue in the setting of obesity.
- TUDCA has been demonstrated to limit metabolic disturbs associated to obesity by inhibiting ER stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in adipocytes.
- The beneficial effect of TUDCA on perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) function and adiponectin release may be related to cardiovascular protection in obesity, although more studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms.
The bile acid TUDCA and neurodegenerative disorders: An overview
Zangerolamo L et al. • Life sciences (2021)
All rights reserved.
- The tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), one of the acids found in bear bile, is a hydrophilic bile acid and naturally produced in the liver by conjugation of taurine to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).
- Our research extends the knowledge of the bile acid TUDCA actions in ND and the mechanisms and pathways involved in its cytoprotective effects on the brain, providing a novel perspective and opportunities for treatment of these diseases.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc.
- All rights reserved.
Nutraceutical, Dietary, and Lifestyle Options for Prevention and Treatment of Ventricular Hypertrophy and Heart Failure
McCarty MF • International journal of molecular sciences (2021)
Research Strategy: Key word searching of PubMed was employed to locate the research papers whose findings are cited in this essay.
- The potential advantages of whole-food plant-based diets, moderation in salt intake, avoidance of phosphate additives, and regular exercise training and sauna sessions are also discussed.
- There should be considerable scope for the development of functional foods and supplements which make it more convenient and affordable for patients to consume complementary combinations of the agents discussed here.
- Research Strategy: Key word searching of PubMed was employed to locate the research papers whose findings are cited in this essay.
Neuroprotective Effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid (TUDCA) on In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Retinal Disorders: A Systematic Review
Li J et al. • Current neuropharmacology (2024)
This systematic review demonstrated that TUDCA has neuroprotective effect on in vivo and in vitro models of retinal disorders, reinforcing the currently available evidence that TUDCA could be a promising therapeutic agent in retinal diseases treatment.
- This systematic review demonstrated that TUDCA has neuroprotective effect on in vivo and in vitro models of retinal disorders, reinforcing the currently available evidence that TUDCA could be a promising therapeutic agent in retinal diseases treatment.
- However, well designed clinical trials are necessary to appraise the efficacy of TUDCA in clinical setting.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
From dried bear bile to molecular investigation: A systematic review of the effect of bile acids on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, across pre-clinical models of neurological, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders
Huang F et al. • Brain, behavior, and immunity (2022)
All rights reserved.
- Overall, this review confirms the therapeutic potential of UDCA, GUDCA and TUDCA in neurological, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, proposing bile acids as potential alternative therapeutic approaches for patients suffering from these disorders.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc.
- All rights reserved.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
ALSUntangled #64: butyrates
Sun Y et al. • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration (2022)
Based on the above information, we support a trial of a butyrate in PALS, but we cannot yet recommend one as a treatment.
- Butyrates have plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression and positive pre-clinical studies.
- One trial suggests that sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB) in combination with Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can slow ALS progression and prolong survival, but the specific contribution of NaPB toward this effect is unclear.
- Butyrates appear reasonably safe for use in humans.
Application of metabolomics in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a systematic review
Yang Z et al. • European journal of medical research (2022)
This study provides a systematic review of metabolomics of ICP and deepens our understanding of the etiology of ICP.
- This study provides a systematic review of metabolomics of ICP and deepens our understanding of the etiology of ICP.
- Published in European journal of medical research (2022)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Bile Acid Signaling in Neurodegenerative and Neurological Disorders
Grant SM et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2020)
This review explores the findings of recent studies highlighting bile acid-mediated therapies and bile acid-mediated signaling and the roles they play in neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.
- Recent studies have shown that bile acid signaling may also have a prevalent role in the central nervous system.
- Some bile acids, such as tauroursodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid, have shown neuroprotective potential in experimental animal models and clinical studies of many neurological conditions.
- Alterations in bile acid metabolism have been discovered as potential biomarkers for prognosis tools as well as the expression of various bile acid receptors in multiple neurological ailments.
Specific Therapy for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Systematic Literature Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations
Marques N et al. • Journal of the American Heart Association (2020)
Novel therapeutic targets including transthyretin gene silencers are currently under investigation.
- The one study on AG10 had only a 1-month duration and cardiovascular end points were exploratory and limited to cardiac biomarkers.
- Limited evidence from noncomparative single-arm small non-RCTs existed for diflunisal, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (green tea extract), and doxycycline+tauroursodeoxycholic acid/ursodeoxycholic acid.
- Conclusions This systematic review of the literature supports the use of tafamidis in wild-type and variant transthyretin-CA.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and protein degradation in chronic liver disease
Xia SW et al. • Pharmacological research (2020)
Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is easily observed in chronic liver disease, which often causes accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER, leading to unfolded protein response (UPR).
- Accumulated misfolded proteins could activate these arms, and then generate various transcription factors to regulate the expression of UPS-related and autophagy-related genes.
- The protein degradation process regulated by UPR has great significance in many chronic liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).
Review: The bile acids urso- and tauroursodeoxycholic acid as neuroprotective therapies in retinal disease
Daruich A et al. • Molecular vision (2019)
As secondary bile acids are generated by the microbiota metabolism, bile acids might be a link between neurodegenerative retinal diseases and microbiota.Copyright © 2019 Molecular Vision.
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) have shown antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in various models of neurodegenerative diseases.
- However, little is known about signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms through which these bile acids act as neuroprotectors, delaying translation to the clinical setting.
- We review evidence supporting a potentially therapeutic role for bile acids in retinal disorders, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the cytoprotective effects of bile acids from the liver and the enterohepatic circulation to the central nervous system and the retina.
Brucella - Virulence Factors, Pathogenesis and Treatment
Głowacka P et al. • Polish journal of microbiology (2018)
Currently, also other methods are used to disrupt Brucella intracellular replication (tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ginseng saponin fraction A).
- Brucella does not produce classical virulence factors: exotoxin, cytolisins, exoenzymes, plasmids, fimbria, and drug resistant forms.
- Major virulence factors are: lipopolysaccharide (LPS), T4SS secretion system and BvrR/BvrS system, which allow interaction with host cell surface, formation of an early, late BCV (Brucella Containing Vacuole) and interaction with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when the bacteria multiply.
- The treatment of brucellosis is based on two-drug therapy, the most common combinations of antibiotics are: doxycycline with rifampicin or fluoroquinolones with rifampicin.
Neuroprotective strategies for retinal disease
Pardue MT et al. • Progress in retinal and eye research (2018)
We discuss attractive candidates here with the goal of furthering retinal research in critical areas to rapidly translate neuroprotective strategies into the clinic.Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- In addition, we review rehabilitative methods that increase endogenous repair mechanisms, including exercise and electrical stimulation therapies.
- Despite the high incidence of retinal diseases and the complexity of mechanisms involved, several promising neuroprotective treatments provide hope to prevent blindness.
- We discuss attractive candidates here with the goal of furthering retinal research in critical areas to rapidly translate neuroprotective strategies into the clinic.Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and eIF2α phosphorylation: The Achilles heel of pancreatic β cells
Cnop M et al. • Molecular metabolism (2017)
Pancreatic β cells are sensitive to excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress and dysregulated eIF2α phosphorylation, as indicated by transcriptome data, monogenic forms of diabetes and pharmacological studies.
- Pancreatic β cells are sensitive to excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress and dysregulated eIF2α phosphorylation, as indicated by transcriptome data, monogenic forms of diabetes and pharmacological studies.
- This should be taken into consideration when devising new therapeutic approaches for diabetes.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Mitochondria: Major Regulators of Neural Development
Xavier JM et al. • The Neuroscientist : a review journal bringing neurobiology, neurology and psychiatry (2016)
In this review, we discuss recent evidence extending the importance of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism to the context of neuronal development and adult neurogenesis.© The Author(s) 2015.
- Nowadays, mitochondria are constituted by small circular mitochondrial DNA of 16 kb, responsible for the control of several proteins, including polypeptides of the electron transport chain.
- Throughout evolution, these organelles acquired the capacity of regulating energy production and metabolism, thus becoming central modulators of cell fate.
- In this review, we discuss recent evidence extending the importance of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism to the context of neuronal development and adult neurogenesis.© The Author(s) 2015.
The rise of proteostasis promoters
Vega H et al. • IUBMB life (2016)
We propose the term "proteostasis promoters" as a more accurate descriptor for a class of compounds that demonstrate ability to promote proteostasis by modulating the UPR and/or the function of chaperones. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(12):943-954, 2016.© 2016 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- Molecular chaperones are specialized proteins essential for facilitating the correct folding, assembly, and disassembly of many cellular proteins and for assuring proteostasis.
- Genetic mutations or metabolic extremes that cause long-term alteration of cellular homeostasis compromise protein folding efficiency.
- To maintain proteostasis, cells mobilized stress coping responses that include the unfolded protein response in order to prevent accumulation of improperly folded proteins that forms the basis of many diseases.
Amyloid neuropathies
Adams D et al. • Current opinion in neurology (2012)
There is better recognition of amyloid neuropathies, and hope for enrolling patients with FAP in future clinical trials testing new antiamyloid drugs.
- Systematic review examining TUDCA efficacy
- Published in Current opinion in neurology (2012)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings