∆4-3-oxo-5β-reductase deficiency: favorable outcome in 16 patients treated with cholic acid

Abstract

Abstract Background Oral cholic acid therapy is an effective therapy in children with primary bile acid synthesis deficiencies. Most reported patients with this treatment have 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-C27-steroid oxidoreductase deficiency. The aim of the study was the evaluation of cholic acid therapy in a cohort of patients with the rarer Δ4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase (Δ4-3-oxo-R) deficiency. Methods Sixteen patients with Δ4-3-oxo-R deficiency confirmed by AKR1D1 gene sequencing who received oral cholic acid were retrospectively analyzed. Results First symptoms were reported early in life (median 2 months of age), with 14 and 3 patients having cholestatic jaundice and severe bleeding respectively. Fifteen patients received ursodeoxycholic acid before diagnosis, with partial improvement in 8 patients. Four patients had liver failure at the time of cholic acid initiation. All 16 patients received cholic acid from a median age of 8.1 months (range 3.1–159) and serum liver tests normalized in all within 6–12 months of treatment. After a median cholic acid therapy of 4.5 years (range 1.1–24), all patients were alive with their native liver. Median daily cholic acid dose at last follow-up was 8.3 mg/kg of body weight. All patients, but one, had normal physical examination and all had normal serum liver tests. Fibrosis, evaluated using liver biopsy (n = 4) or liver elastography (n = 9), had stabilized or improved. Cholic acid therapy enabled a 12-fold decrease of 3-oxo-∆4 derivatives in urine. Patients had normal growth and quality of life. The treatment was well tolerated without serious adverse events and signs of hepatotoxicity. Conclusions Oral cholic acid therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Δ4-3-oxo-R deficiency.