Cholic acid, also known as 3a,7a,12a-trihydroxy-5b-cholanate or cholate, belongs to trihydroxy bile acids, alcohols and derivatives class of compounds. Those are prenol lipids structurally characterized by a bile acid or alcohol which bears three hydroxyl groups. Thus, cholic acid is considered to be a bile acid lipid molecule. Cholic acid is practically insoluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Cholic acid can be found in a number of food items such as cocoa bean, walnut, garden rhubarb, and carob, which makes cholic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Cholic acid can be found primarily in bile, blood, feces, and urine, as well as throughout all human tissues. Cholic acid exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, cholic acid is involved in few metabolic pathways, which include bile acid biosynthesis, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), congenital bile acid synthesis defect type II, and congenital bile acid synthesis defect type III. Cholic acid is also involved in few metabolic disorders, which include 27-hydroxylase deficiency, familial hypercholanemia (FHCA), and zellweger syndrome. Moreover, cholic acid is found to be associated with biliary atresia, cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, and primary biliary cirrhosis. Cholic acid is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as trihydroxy bile acids, alcohols and derivatives. These are prenol lipids structurally characterized by a bile acid or alcohol which bears three hydroxyl groups.
