Taurochenodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid formed in the liver of most species, including humans, by conjugation of chenodeoxycholic acid with taurine.[1] It is secreted into bile and then into the intestine.[2] It is usually ionized at physiologic pH. However, although it can be crystallized as the sodium salt.
It acts as a detergent to solubilize fats in the small intestine and is itself absorbed by active transport in the terminal ileum.[3]
Substantial evidence indicates that high circulating bile acids promote colon cancer risk.[4][5] In a prospective study, positive associations were observed between prediagnostic plasma levels of seven conjugated bile acid metabolites, including taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and colon cancer risk.[4]
^Carey MC, Small DM (October 1972). "Micelle formation by bile salts. Physical-chemical and thermodynamic considerations". Archives of Internal Medicine. 130 (4): 506–27. doi:10.1001/archinte.1972.03650040040005. PMID4562149.
^ abKühn T, Stepien M, López-Nogueroles M, Damms-Machado A, Sookthai D, Johnson T, Roca M, Hüsing A, Maldonado SG, Cross AJ, Murphy N, Freisling H, Rinaldi S, Scalbert A, Fedirko V, Severi G, Boutron-Ruault MC, Mancini FR, Sowah SA, Boeing H, Jakszyn P, Sánchez MJ, Merino S, Colorado-Yohar S, Barricarte A, Khaw KT, Schmidt JA, Perez-Cornago A, Trichopoulou A, Karakatsani A, Thriskos P, Palli D, Agnoli C, Tumino R, Sacerdote C, Panico S, Bueno-de-Mesquita B, van Gils CH, Heath AK, Gunter MJ, Riboli E, Lahoz A, Jenab M, Kaaks R (May 2020). "Prediagnostic Plasma Bile Acid Levels and Colon Cancer Risk: A Prospective Study". J Natl Cancer Inst. 112 (5): 516–524. doi:10.1093/jnci/djz166. PMC7225675. PMID31435679.