Hyodeoxycholic acid

Hyodeoxycholic acid is a secondary bile acid and a small molecule drug. It is naturally present in various mammalian species and is the main bile acid constituent of hog bile. Industrially, it was historically used as a precursor for steroid synthesis. Pharmacologically, hyodeoxycholic acid acts as a receptor-specific activator of nuclear liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha), which regulates the expression of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase and plays an important role in cholesterol metabolism. Through LXR activation and related pathways, it increases the efficiency of cholesterol efflux via HDL cells and may reduce arterial plaque formation. Hyodeoxycholic acid has been investigated for its potential to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis; clinical trials have reached phase I for these indications[1][2][4][5]. The compound has also been explored for use in metabolic disorders and liver diseases[8].

Other names

3α,6α-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acidACIDUM HYODESOXYCHOLCUMTabellae Acidi Hyodesoxycholici