Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a water-soluble bile salt naturally occurring in the body. When bile salts reach the intestines, they can be metabolized by bacteria into ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). TUDCA is formed when taurine binds to UDCA. TUDCA is used to treat cholestasis, a condition in which bile fails to flow from the liver to the duodenum. TUDCA, UDCA, and other soluble bile salts can counteract the toxicity of regular bile acids when the latter are backed up in the liver. TUDCA is also used to treat cholesterol gallstones, dissolving them to a size in which they may be passed.
