Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) are facial amphiphiles synthesized in the body of all vertebrates. They undergo the enterohepatic circulation: they are produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, released in the intestine, taken into the bloodstream and lastly re-absorbed in the liver. During this pathway, BAs are modified in their molecular structure by the action of enzymes and bacteria. Such transformations allow them to acquire the chemical–physical properties needed for fulling several activities including metabolic regulation, antimicrobial functions and solubilization of lipids in digestion. The versatility of BAs in the physiological functions has inspired their use in many bio-applications, making them important tools for active molecule delivery, metabolic disease treatments and emulsification processes in food and drug industries. Moreover, moving over the borders of the biological field, BAs have been largely investigated as building blocks for the construction of supramolecular aggregates having peculiar structural, mechanical, chemical and optical properties. The review starts with a biological analysis of the BAs functions before progressively switching to a general overview of BAs in pharmacology and medicine applications. Lastly the focus moves to the BAs use in material science.
Highlights
Bile acids (BAs) constitute an important class of biological molecules produced in the metabolism of all vertebrates
BAs influence the microbiota composition [54,55]. Concerning the latter point, it has been for example observed that low levels of BAs in the gut induce an overgrowth of bacteria and potential pathogens, increasing the occurrence of inflammations and bacterial translocation
They are produced in the hepatocytes from cholesterol modification and, through a cyclic path named enterohepatic circulation, are transported from liver to intestine, lately being transferred to the blood stream by which they are re-absorbed from the liver
Summary
Bile acids (BAs) constitute an important class of biological molecules produced in the metabolism of all vertebrates. In mammals, they exhibit the so called C24 structure: 24 carbon atoms form a steroid nucleus (three six-member rings indicated as A, B C and a five-member ring indicated as D) and a five-carbon side chain with a carboxyl group at the. Are first synthesized by the hepatocyte and named primary BAs. Subsequently CA and CDCA are conjugated to glycine or taurine, giving rise to glycocholic (GCA), taurocholic (TCA) acids and glycochenodeoxycholic (GCDCA), taurochenodeoxycholic (TCDCA) acids, respectively. The increase in the hydrophobic character, moving from primary to secondary BAs, affects the BA chemical–physical and physiological properties, making them differently active in the diverse parts of the enterohepatic circuit. The daily loss of BAs is compensated by new liver production
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
