Definition
Cholic acid, along with chenodeoxycholic acid, is one of two major bile acids produced by the liver where it is synthesized from cholesterol. Of the two major bile acids, cholate derivatives represent approximately eighty percent of all bile acids. Cholic acid is a major primary bile acid produced in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. It facilitates fat absorption and cholesterol excretion. Emulsifying agent in foods. Bile acids are physiological detergents that facilitate excretion, absorption, and transport of fats and sterols in the intestine and liver. Bile acids are essential for the absorption of dietary fats and vitamins, and have been implicated in the regulation of all the key enzymes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Bile acids have potent toxic properties (e.g., membrane disruption) and there are a plethora of mechanisms to limit their accumulation in blood and tissues.
Description
Cholic acid is a major primary bile acid produced in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. It facilitates fat absorption and cholesterol excretion. Bile acids are steroid acids found predominantly in bile of mammals. The distinction between different bile acids is minute, depends only on presence or absence of hydroxyl groups on positions 3, 7, and 12. Bile acids are physiological detergents that facilitate excretion, absorption, and transport of fats and sterols in the intestine and liver. Bile acids are also steroidal amphipathic molecules derived from the catabolism of cholesterol. They modulate bile flow and lipid secretion, are essential for the absorption of dietary fats and vitamins, and have been implicated in the regulation of all the key enzymes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Bile acids recirculate through the liver, bile ducts, small intestine and portal vein to form an enterohepatic circuit. They exist as anions at physiological pH and, consequently, require a carrier for transport across the membranes of the enterohepatic tissues. The unique detergent properties of bile acids are essential for the digestion and intestinal absorption of hydrophobic nutrients. Bile acids have potent toxic properties (e.g., membrane disruption) and there are a plethora of mechanisms to limit their accumulation in blood and tissues. (A3407, A3408, A3409, A3410).
Top Gene Interactions
Related Pathways
General Information
- Uses/Sources:
This is an endogenously produced metabolite found in the human body. It is used in metabolic reactions, catabolic reactions or waste generation.
- Health Effects: Chronically high levels of cholic acid are associated with Familial Hypercholanemia.
Mechanism of Action
Target Name | Mechanism of Action | References |
---|---|---|
Ferrochelatase, mitochondrial Alcohol dehydrogenase 1C Estrogen-related receptor gamma Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6A2, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B1 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6C Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A1, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7B, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7C, mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8A, mitochondrial Bile acid receptor Liver carboxylesterase 1 Phospholipase A2 Gastrotropin Ferrochelatase G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 |
19102680 13130122 17139284 17016423 20801037 10592235 18180267 |
Cholic Acid Interacts with Diseases
Disease | Inference Score | References/Inference Genes |
Cholestasis | 46.46 | |
Prostatic Neoplasms | 36.86 |
References/Inference Genes
|
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental | 32.27 | |
Drug-induced liver injury | 32.19 |
References/Inference Genes
|
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental | 26.47 | |
Colorectal cancer | 26.1 | |
Breast carcinoma | 23.23 | |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 18.51 | |
Atherosclerosis | 16.62 | |
Obesity | 15.1 | |
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease | 14.37 | |
Colonic neoplasm | 14.23 | |
Hepatocellular carcinoma | 14.13 | |
Primary biliary cirrhosis | 13.37 |
|
Status Epilepticus | 12.95 | |
Hypertension | 12.78 | |
Asthma | 12.73 | |
Coronary artery disease | 12.55 | |
Renal cell carcinoma | 11.62 | |
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung | 11.47 |