Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one polyene macrolide for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases that are associated with an impaired energy turnover. Particularly, the present inventions allows to specifically stimulate the energy conversion in human cell, i.e. to stimulate the cell metabolism, and thus to treat or prevent a series of diseases.

Abstract: A slow-release pharmaceutical composition containing a bile acid as active ingredient and comprising at least one bioadhesive substance and at least one high specific gravity substance, an aliquot thereof being enteric coated and the remainder being non-enteric coated.

Abstract: An aqueous agent for disintegrating gallstones containing an alkali metal carbonate such as sodium or potassium hydrogen carbonate and optionally N-acetylcysteine.

Abstract: Disclosed are gastric acid-resistant polymer-coated buffered-bile acid compositions, process for their preparations and methods of treating digestive disorders, impaired liver function, autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract, preventing colon cancer, cholestasis associated with cystic fibrosis, dissolving gallstones and regulating dietary cholesterol absorption by administering said compositions to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are gastric acid-resistant polymer-coated buffered-bile acid compositions, process for their preparations and methods of treating digestive disorders, impaired liver function, autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract, prevention of colon cancer following cholecystectomy, cystic fibrosis, dissolving gallstones and regulating dietary cholesterol absorption by administering said compositions to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Nutritional supplements and methods of use of the supplements to maximally stimulate gallbladder contraction in patients undergoing rapid weight loss, to prevent the build up of bilary sludge and/or gallstones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a patient having cholesterol calculi which involves infusing into the biliary tract of said patient a C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 ester having a boiling point in the range of 80.degree.-140.degree. C. in an amount and at a flow rate effective to at least partially dissolve said calculi rapidly. It is found that the ester has little or no tendency to accumulate in the blood stream when perfused into a patient, particular as compared to methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), the solvent widely used at present. The invention also encompasses dissolving cholesterol calculi by exposing such calculi to contact with effective quantities of those solvent compounds. The method preferably uses a high flow rate catheter pumping system for infusing a gallstone dissolution solvent into the gallbladder of a patient and aspirating the gallstone dissolution solvent from the gallbladder, and a unit measure container of the solvent.

Abstract: A method is described for the replacement of bile acid in the biliary tract during conditions of bile acid deficiency which comprises administering an effective amount of a synthetic bile acid comprising the reaction product of a natural bile acid and an N-alkyl amino acid. A critical element of the invention is the presence of the N-methyl amino acid as the conjugating moiety for the synthetic bile acid. Such does not occur in nature, and is a key factor in the ability of the compounds of this invention to be efficacious in the treatment method of the invention.Also described is a bile acid replacement composition which comprises the reaction product of a natural bile acid and an N-alkyl amino acid. The N-alkyl amino acid is an N-alkyl glycine, more preferably N-methyl glycine; the natural bile acid is cholic acid; and in the exemplified embodiment the compound is the N-acyl reaction product of N-methyl glycine and cholic acid, i.e., cholylsarcosine.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel calcium normalizing compositions containing as the active agent the amino acid methionine, and/or one or more related compounds including certain metabolic precursor compounds, and novel methods employing the compositions for normalizing or controlling calcium metabolism. The compounds include the methionine hydroxy analog, the S-methyl methionine analog, and methionine compounds having the structural formula I ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable N- (mono- and dicarboxylic acid) acyl derivatives and alkyl esters thereof, where in is an integer from 1 to 3.

Abstract: New derivatives of chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, cholic and ursocholic acids, bearing a methyl group in the side chain, in an alfa position to the carboxylic group, the corresponding nor- and di-nor- derivatives, and the corresponding conjugates with taurine and glycine, are described.The compounds of the invention are prepared by methylation of the esters with methyl iodide in the presence of lithium-dialkylamides.

Abstract: A gallstone dissolver comprises the following active ingredients (A) and (B);(A) a compound selected from the group consisting of fatty acid monoglycerides of C-6 to C-12, fatty acid diglycerides in liquid phase at 30.degree. C., fatty acid triglycerides in liquid phase at 30.degree. C., and fatty acids in liquid phase at 30.degree. C., and(B) a monoterpene.The coexistence of the fatty acid and monoterpene in the gallstone dissolver accelerates the sulubility and dissolving velocity of cholesterol gallstones.A nonionic surfactant such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycerin fatty acid ester, etc. may also be added to the above dissolver to further improve the performance of the dissolver.

Abstract: Method for dissolving cholesterol calculus in vitro or in vivo comprising contacting the cholesterol calculus with methyl tertiary-butyl ether.

Abstract: The present invention relates to products of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is H or alkyl, n is an integer from 0 to 10, and R.sub.2 is chosen from amongst H, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl radicals, a ##STR2## a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl radical, a ##STR3## where X is oxygen or sulfur, or a heterocyclic radical with 5 or 6 members, which may or may not be fused to a benzene ring and R.sub.3 is H or OH.The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the products of the formula (I), and to the drugs, having in particular an anti-inflammatory effect, containing a product of the formula (I).

Abstract: The medicinal vegetable composition for treating some hepatobiliary diseases, according to the invention, contains an association of the plants Epilobium hirsutum L., Chamaenerion palustre Schreb. and Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.)Scop., their ratio being 15 to 40: 20 to 50: 35 to 80, respectively, the ratio being calculated based on 100 g of vegetable material.