Chemicals and Drugs

Bile Acids and Salts

Steroid acids and salts. The primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. The secondary bile acids are further modified by bacteria in the intestine. They play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat. They have also been used pharmacologically, especially in the treatment of gallstones.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Steroid acids and salts. The primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. The secondary bile acids are further modified by bacteria in the intestine. They play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat. They have also been used pharmacologically, especially in the treatment of gallstones.

MeSH Record

Classification

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Bile Acid
  • Bile Acids
  • Bile Salt
  • Bile Salts
  • Acid, Bile
  • Acids, Bile
  • Salt, Bile
  • Salts, Bile

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Hierarchy

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MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WI 703

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Bile Acids and Salts. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001647. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001647
  2. Bile Acids and Salts. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bile_acid
  3. Bile Acids and Salts. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q413288