deoxycholic acid

Deoxycholic acid is a secondary bile acid, meaning it is produced in the colon by bacteria from primary bile acids like cholic acid. Bile acids, in general, are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol and are crucial for digesting and absorbing dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). They act as detergents, breaking down fats into smaller droplets for enzymes to process.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 in a process called enterohepatic circulation. While primary bile acids like cholic acid are synthesized directly, secondary bile acids like deoxycholic acid have signaling functions that can influence immune responses and cell proliferation.1