TAUROCHOLIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Taurocholic acid is a bile acid that is naturally produced in the liver and acts as one of the main constituents of human bile. It is a conjugated bile acid, meaning it is formed through the binding of cholic acid with the amino acid taurine. Taurocholic acid plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
As a component of bile, taurocholic acid aids in emulsifying fats in the intestines, which enhances their digestion by lipase enzymes. This process enables the formation of smaller fat droplets that are more easily broken down. Furthermore, taurocholic acid supports the absorption of these digested fats and fat-soluble vitamins, ensuring their efficient uptake by the body.
In addition to its digestion-related functions, taurocholic acid also plays a vital role in the body's elimination of waste products. It acts as a detoxifier by solubilizing waste materials, toxins, and unwanted substances, facilitating their excretion from the body. Moreover, taurocholic acid helps maintain the pH balance of the small intestine and promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
In medicine and research, taurocholic acid is commonly used as a reagent to investigate biological processes related to bile acid metabolism, liver function, and intestinal health. It also serves as a substrate for the measurement of enzyme activity and is utilized in biochemical assays and diagnostic tests.
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One of the two organic acids in bile, C26H46NSO7; by hydrolysis it forms cholic acid and taurin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TAUROCHOLIC ACID
- raurocholic acid
- faurocholic acid
- gaurocholic acid
- yaurocholic acid
- 6aurocholic acid
- 5aurocholic acid
- tzurocholic acid
- tsurocholic acid
- twurocholic acid
- tqurocholic acid
- tayrocholic acid
- tahrocholic acid
- tajrocholic acid
- tairocholic acid
- ta8rocholic acid
- ta7rocholic acid
- taueocholic acid
- taudocholic acid
- taufocholic acid
- tautocholic acid
Etymology of TAUROCHOLIC ACID
The word "taurocholic acid" is derived from two components: "tauro" and "cholic acid".
- "Tauro" comes from the Latin word "taurus", meaning "bull". This is because the compound was originally isolated from the bile of bulls.
- "Cholic acid" comes from the Greek word "khole", meaning "bile". It refers to a type of bile acid, which is a vital component of bile produced by the liver. Bile acids, including cholic acid, are necessary for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.
When combined, "taurocholic acid" describes a specific type of bile acid (cholic acid) conjugated with taurine, an amino acid.
