Bile acids for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and/or steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition charactrerised by fatty deposition in the hepatocytes of patients with minimal or no alcohol intake. Some patients develop non alcoholic steatohepatitis. Bile acids may potentially protect cellular structures and may be of benefit in patients with non alcoholic fatty liver or steatohepatitis.Presently, there are insufficient data to support or refute the use of ursodeoxycholic acid for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver or steatohepatitis. It may be advisable to carry out large randomised clinical trials on this topic.