Lithocholic acid

Lithocholic acid[1]
Names
IUPAC name
(4R)-4-[(3R,5R,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-3-Hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]pentanoic acid
Other names
Lithocholate; Lithocolic acid; 3α-Hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid; 3α-Hydroxy-5β-cholanic acid; 5β-Cholan-24-oic acid-3α-ol
Identifiers
434-13-9 Yes
ChEBI CHEBI:16325 
ChEMBL ChEMBL1478 Yes
ChemSpider 9519 Yes
EC number 207-099-1
IUPHAR ligand 611
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 9903
RTECS number FZ2275000
Properties
C24H40O3
Molar mass 376.57 g/mol
Melting point 183 to 188 °C (361 to 370 °F; 456 to 461 K)
Hazards
S-phrases S22 S24/25
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Lithocholic acid, also known as 3α-hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid or LCA, is a bile acid that acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for absorption. Bacterial action in the colon produces LCA from chenodeoxycholic acid by reduction of the hydroxyl functional group at carbon-7 in the "B" ring of the steroid framework.

It has been implicated in human and experimental animal carcinogenesis.[2] Preliminary in vitro research suggests that LCA selectively kills neuroblastoma cells, while sparing normal neuronal cells and is cytotoxic to numerous other malignant cell types at physiologically relevant concentrations.[3]

Dietary fiber can bind to lithocholic acid and aid in its excretion in stool;[4] as such, fiber can protect against colon cancer.

LCA (and LCA acetate and LCA propionate) can activate the vitamin D receptor without raising calcium levels as much as vitamin D itself.[5]

References

  1. Lithocholic acid at Sigma-Aldrich
  2. Kozoni, V.; Tsioulias, G; Shiff, S; Rigas, B (2000). "The effect of lithocholic acid on proliferation and apoptosis during the early stages of colon carcinogenesis: Differential effect on apoptosis in the presence of a colon carcinogen". Carcinogenesis 21 (5): 999–1005. doi:10.1093/carcin/21.5.999. PMID 10783324.
  3. Goldberg, AA; Beach, A; Davies, GF; Harkness, TA; Leblanc, A; Titorenko, VI (2011). "Lithocholic bile acid selectively kills neuroblastoma cells, while sparing normal neuronal cells". Oncotarget 2 (10): 761–82. PMC 3248158. PMID 21992775.
  4. Jenkins, DJ; Wolever, TM; Rao, AV; Hegele, RA; Mitchell, SJ; Ransom, TP; Boctor, DL; Spadafora, PJ et al. (1993). "Effect on blood lipids of very high intakes of fiber in diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol". The New England Journal of Medicine 329 (1): 21–6. doi:10.1056/NEJM199307013290104. PMID 8389421.
  5. Ishizawa, M.; Matsunawa, M.; Adachi, R.; Uno, S.; Ikeda, K.; Masuno, H.; Shimizu, M.; Iwasaki, K.-i. et al. (2008). "Lithocholic acid derivatives act as selective vitamin D receptor modulators without inducing hypercalcemia". The Journal of Lipid Research 49 (4): 763. doi:10.1194/jlr.M700293-JLR200.

Further reading