[Colchicine in Toxic Liver Cirrhosis and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis]

In animals, colchicine has been shown hepatoprotective, which is related to its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effect. In man, colchicine has been used for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and primary biliary cirrhosis. Although controlled trials observed an improvement of liver function tests under colchicine, the survival rate in most studies was only slightly improved without reaching statistical significance. Therefore, at present, no final evaluation of colchicine for the treatment of alcoholic liver diseases and primary biliary cirrhosis can be given.