bile acid mimetic

Bile acids are compounds synthesized in the liver from cholesterol that are crucial for digesting and absorbing dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins. They act as detergents, breaking down fats into smaller droplets for easier digestion by enzymes. Bile acids also form micelles, which aid in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. They are essential for eliminating excess cholesterol from the body and influence the gut microbiome.1

Bile acids are secreted into bile, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine. After aiding digestion, they are reabsorbed and returned to the liver, a process called enterohepatic circulation. Bacteria in the colon can convert primary bile acids into secondary bile acids, which act as signaling molecules.1

Bile acid mimetics are medications designed to mimic the natural function of bile acids. They work by binding to the farnesoid X receptor, helping to regulate bile acid production and reabsorption. Bile acid sequestrants, another type of drug, bind to bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption and prompting the liver to use more cholesterol to produce new bile acids, thus lowering blood cholesterol levels.12