Bile acids are amphiphilic molecules synthesized from cholesterol in the liver. They have both hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Bile acids can emulsify fats to form micelles, thereby promoting the digestion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Bile acids?can be discharged into the digestive tract together with bile under the stimulation of external food and related hormones.
- Bile acids have functions such as fat emulsification, promoting intestinal absorption of lipids, regulating liver function, and increasing energy consumption. They?also regulate intestinal barrier function by activating their receptors.
- Bile acids receptors are distributed in various organs of animals and exert their physiological effects after activation by bile acids or bile acid analogs, with different mechanisms of action in different organs.
- In the intestine, bile acids mainly regulate intestinal homeostasis through their interaction with bile acid receptors and gut microbiota. In addition, bile acids can inhibit the overgrowth of gut microbiota and prevent the invasion of other harmful bacteria, playing a certain role in maintaining gut microbiota balance and intestinal barrier function.
