lithocholic acid

Lithocholic acid is a secondary bile acid produced in the colon by bacteria from chenodeoxycholic acid. Bile acids, in general, are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol and play crucial roles in the digestion and absorption of 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.1

While primary bile acids like cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid are synthesized directly in the liver, secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid are formed when bacteria in the colon modify the primary bile acids. These secondary bile acids primarily function as signaling molecules, influencing processes like immune responses and cell proliferation.1