Bile acid anions (BA)

Bile acid anions are amphipathic steroid molecules synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and secreted into the gastrointestinal lumen (Hofmann & Hagey, 2006, PMID: 17074306). Their primary biological function is the emulsification of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, facilitating their absorption in the small intestine (StatPearls, 2023). Beyond digestion, they act as signaling molecules through receptors like the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and TGR5, regulating glucose and lipid metabolism (Chiang, 2013, PMID: 23612264). In pharmacology, they are targeted by bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine, which bind these anions in the gut to prevent their enterohepatic recirculation (LiverTox, 2017). This process forces the liver to utilize systemic cholesterol to synthesize new bile acids, thereby lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Dysregulation of bile acid levels is associated with conditions such as bile acid malabsorption, cholestasis, and metabolic syndrome (Walters, 2014, PMID: 24811984).

Other names

Bile saltsConjugated bile acidsPrimary and secondary bile acidsIntestinal bile acids

Bile acid sequestration: Binding of bile acid anions in the gastrointestinal lumen to form non-absorbable complexes, preventing enterohepatic recirculation and promoting fecal excretion (StatPearls, 2023).