Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in gallbladder disease, a story not yet completed

Gallstone disease represents an important issue in the healthcare system. The principal non-invasive nonsurgical medical treatment for cholesterol gallstones is still represented by oral litholysis with bile acids. The first successful and documented dissolution of cholesterol gallstones was achieved in 1972. Since then a large number of investigators all over the world, have been dedicated in biochemical and clinical studies on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), demonstrating its extreme versatility. This editorial is aimed to provide a brief review of recent developments in UDCA use, current indications for its use and, the more recent advances in understanding its effects in terms of an anti-inflammatory drug. (C) 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.