The doctor examines the most popular drugs - "restorers" of the liver. Part 1
There are a lot of drugs-hepatoprotectors ("restorers" of the liver). And the main problem with them is weak, if not absent, evidence base. The mechanisms of action of most hepatoprotectors are only hypothesized, but not proven.
Please understand correctly - this does not mean that they are all useless. But at the moment there is not enough data to assert at least something in any direction.
There is only one and only drug whose effectiveness is not suspicious.
it ursodeoxycholic acid.
+ It protects cells by displacing water-insoluble bile acids;
+ Promote the synthesis and the ability to free release of bile acids. That is, it promotes the "fluidity" of bile, and not its stagnation (choleretic effect); - Reduces the synthesis of inflammatory substances, that is, the immunomodulatory effect;
+ Blocks the caspase cycle of mitochondrial destruction (anti-apoptotic effect);
+ Powerful antioxidant effect.
You cannot "prescribe" this drug to yourself, it is
must be strictly done by the doctor. It is due to the fact that this is a powerful medicine with its own contraindications.But in my opinion there is still drugs worthy of attention.
I'll start with the most popular ones:
Essential phospholipids.
+ Antioxidants;
+ Replenish membrane lipids, that is, perform a "building" function for liver cells.
In Western countries, they are not registered as medicines, only as dietary supplements. And in the post-Soviet space, they exist in the form of a fairly popular medication with a consonant name.
Serious clinical research (e.g. Veterans Affairs cooperative study 2003) did not show any significant result in the restoration of liver tissue in people with cirrhosis.
In addition, in acute and chronic viral hepatitis, these substances contraindicated as they can contribute to stagnation of bile and an increase in the death of liver cells, that is, cytolysis.
There is one more nuance: in these preparations, phospholipids are presented in the form of chylomicrons, which physically cannot go directly to the liver. First, they enter the lymph, then into the adipose tissue, where they are used as energy or accumulate. Moreover, even if intravenous infusions are made instead of capsules, direct delivery to the liver cannot be achieved. That is why essential phospholipids ineffective, although there is some benefit from them.
To be continued...
Your Doctor Pavlova
