Metabolism of Glycocholic Acid in Man

Abstract

Norman, A. 1970. Metabolism of Glycocholic Acid in Man. Scand. J. Gastroent. 5, 231-236.

Bile from patients given an oral dose of [24-¹⁴C] cholyl [1-¹⁴C] glycine was extracted and the labelled conjugates chromatographically separated. The results indicate that 43-7 5% of the remaining [24-¹⁴C] labelled bile acids was present as double-labelled glycocholic acid 25-26 hours after administration of the isotope. During the same period, 3-6 % of the remaining labelled bile acid had been 7a-dehydroxylated. The glycodeoxycholic acid isolated only contained small amounts of isotope in the glycine compared with that in the steroid nucleus, indicating that unconjugated cholic acid rather than conjugated cholic acid is the main substrate for 7a-dehydroxylation in the intestinal tract.

Key-words:

• Bile acids
• deconjugation