Bile Acid Metabolism encompasses the entire physiological process of synthesizing bile acids from cholesterol in the liver, their conjugation with amino acids, secretion into the intestine, subsequent modification by the gut microbiota, and efficient reabsorption back to the liver. This complex metabolic pathway is now recognized as a critical endocrine signaling axis, extending far beyond its traditional role in fat digestion and absorption. The bile acid pool acts as a sophisticated communication link between the host and the gut microbiome, influencing systemic health.
Origin
This metabolic process is fundamentally rooted in the liver, the organ responsible for cholesterol homeostasis and bile production. The term combines “bile acid,” referring to the amphipathic steroid molecules in bile, with “metabolism,” signifying the entire network of biochemical transformations and transport. The historical view focused on the digestive function, but modern endocrinology has revealed their potent role as hormone-like signaling molecules.
Mechanism
The process begins with the liver converting cholesterol into primary bile acids, which are then conjugated and released into the small intestine to emulsify dietary fats. Once in the gut, the local microbiota deconjugates and transforms them into secondary bile acids, significantly altering the pool’s composition. These primary and secondary bile acids then act as ligands for nuclear receptors, such as FXR and TGR5, expressed in the intestine and liver. Activation of these receptors regulates gene expression related to glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, energy expenditure, and inflammatory pathways.
Microbial metabolites from the gut microbiome significantly influence hormone synthesis and metabolism by providing precursors, modulating enzyme activity, and regulating systemic inflammation.
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