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What is meant by the term "bile acid"?
The American Journal of Physiology
|February 1, 1983
Summary
Bile acids, acidic steroids, encompass diverse compounds. Research is actively exploring the origin, synthesis, metabolism, and bioactivity of newly identified unconventional bile acids.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Bile acids are acidic steroids with shared origins and functions.
- Defining bile acids conventionally has exceptions.
- The term best applies to C-17 side chain steroids with a carboxylic acid group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define bile acids and their derivatives.
- To highlight the diversity of naturally occurring bile acids.
- To investigate novel unconventional bile acids.
Main Methods:
- Chemical structure analysis.
- Metabolic pathway tracing.
- Bioactivity assays.
Main Results:
- Bile acids are a diverse group of acidic steroids.
- Unconventional bile acids present exceptions to conventional definitions.
- Numerous naturally occurring bile acids exist beyond common recognition.
Conclusions:
- Bile acids are defined by specific structural features.
- The diversity of bile acids is greater than previously thought.
- Ongoing research focuses on the synthesis, metabolism, and bioactivity of unconventional bile acids.