Taurocholic acid

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

A bile acid involved in the digestion of fats


Taurocholic acid is a bile acid that is conjugated with taurine. It is one of the primary bile acids produced in the liver and is involved in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine.

Biological Role[edit | edit source]

Taurocholic acid is synthesized in the liver from cholesterol and is secreted into the bile duct. It plays a crucial role in the emulsification of dietary fats, which is essential for their digestion by lipase enzymes. The presence of taurocholic acid in the intestine also facilitates the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormal levels of taurocholic acid can be indicative of liver dysfunction or bile acid malabsorption. It is also studied in the context of gallstone formation and cholestasis.

See Also[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD