Studies on the regulatory role of cholic acid in cholesterol metabolism

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<p>Cholesterol is essential for normal growth and development in both man and mouse. However, excess cholesterol can be harmful leading to diseases such as atherosclerosis and gallstones. Once formed cholesterol cannot be catabolised by the body and must therefore be converted to other compounds for excretion.</p><p>In both man and mouse the faecal route of cholesterol excretion, through bile acid synthesis and solubilisation of free cholesterol in bile is the major pathway for the removal of excess cholesterol. Cholesterol is converted into the two primary bile acids, cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). The ratio of CA to CDCA is determined by the enzyme sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (CYP 8B 1). A CYP8B1 knockout mouse model was created', which completely lacks the ability to synthesise CA.</p><p>These, CYP8B1 knockout mice appear phenotypically normal although they have an increased bile acid pool size comprising of only CDCA and its secondar

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