Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA)

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a taurine-conjugated bile acid that serves as a potent cytoprotective agent and chemical chaperone [1, 2]. It is primarily known for its ability to mitigate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by assisting in protein folding and preventing the unfolded protein response (UPR) [3, 4]. TUDCA also exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the translocation of Bax to the mitochondria, thereby preventing the release of cytochrome c and subsequent cell death [5, 6]. Clinically, it is used to treat cholestatic liver diseases and has been approved in combination with sodium phenylbutyrate for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) due to its neuroprotective properties [7, 8]. Its therapeutic potential extends to other protein-misfolding conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes [9, 10]. Beyond its role in the liver and gallbladder, TUDCA modulates various signaling pathways, including the activation of the TGR5 receptor and the inhibition of pro-apoptotic cascades, making it a versatile therapeutic candidate for metabolic, inflammatory, and protein-misfolding disorders [1, 9].

Other names

TUDCATauroursodeoxycholateTaurursodiol3α,7β-Dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid N-(2-sulfoethyl)amideUrsodoxyltaurine

TUDCA acts as a chemical chaperone to reduce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inhibits apoptosis by stabilizing mitochondrial membranes, and activates the TGR5 receptor [1, 3, 5, 10].