α-Muricholic Acid

Description

α-Muricholic acid is a murine-specific primary bile acid. Dietary administration of soybean protein decreases fecal levels of α-muricholic acid in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity which correlates with increases in fecal Clostridium cluster XIVa, a major producer of secondary bile acids. Plasma, liver, and muscle levels of α-muricholic acid are increased in mice switched from a high-fat to low-fat diet.

Uses

α-Muricholic Acid is an bile acid found in urine. Studies have linked α-Muricholic in the understanding of the complex signaling pathways of hepatic lipid abnormalities with type 2 diabetes and a treatment target for this condition.

Definition

ChEBI: Alpha-muricholic acid is a member of the class of muricholic acids in which the hydroxy groups at positions 6 and 7 have beta- and alpha- configuration respectively. It is a member of muricholic acids, a 6beta-hydroxy steroid and a 7alpha-hydroxy steroid. It is a conjugate acid of an alpha-muricholate.