Glycocholic acid

Glycocholic acid
Systematic name	Glycocholic acid
Chemical formula	C26H43NO6.
Molecular mass	xx.xx g/mol
Density	x.xxx g/cm3
Melting point	130 °C
Boiling point	xx.x °C
CAS number	[475-31-0]
SMILES	C[C@@]34[C@] (CC[C@@H]4[C@@H] (CCC(NCC(O)=O)=O)C) ([H])[C@]2([H]) [C@H](O)C[C@]1 ([H])C[C@H](O) CC[C@@](C)1[C@] ([H])2C[C@@H]3O
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Glycocholic acid

Glycocholic acid, also known as cholylglycine, is a significant bile acid primarily associated with the emulsification and digestion of fats within the digestive system. Bile acids, including glycocholic acid, facilitate the breakdown of fat molecules, making them more accessible for enzymes to further digest and absorb.

Structure and Formation

Glycocholic acid is formed through the conjugation of cholic acid and the amino acid glycine. This conjugation increases the solubility of cholic acid in the bile, making it more effective in fat digestion.

Biological Role

Emulsification

• Glycocholic acid plays a crucial role in the emulsification of fats. Emulsification is the process of breaking down large fat droplets into smaller ones, which increases the surface area for lipase enzymes to act upon. This process enhances the efficiency of fat digestion in the small intestine.

Sodium Salt in Bile

• Glycocholic acid predominantly exists as its sodium salt in the bile of mammals. The presence of sodium increases the acid's solubility, thereby aiding its function in emulsifying fats.

Properties

Glycocholic acid exhibits the following properties:

• It is crystalline in nature.
• Its anionic form is referred to as glycocholate.

Clinical Relevance

Glycocholic acid, along with other bile acids, can be clinically significant. Variations in the levels of this acid can be indicative of:

• Liver or bile duct diseases.
• Malabsorption syndromes.
• Conditions affecting bile acid synthesis or secretion.

See Also

• Bile
• Digestive System
• Lipids
• Cholesterol
• Taurocholic acid.

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