Lithocholic acid is a monohydroxy secondary bile acid that acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for absorption. It is formed in the colon by bacterial 7-dehydroxylation of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) [
C0750] and of the secondary bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) [
U0030]. Recently, lithocholic acid is identified as an endogenous ligand of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and a pregnane X receptor (PXR) activator. Lithocholic acid has been used for several therapeutic purposes in man. (The product is for research purpose only.)