Metabolism of deoxycholic acid in man.

The metabolism of [24-14C] deoxycholic acid was studied in humans with an intact enterohepatic circulation. Two metabolites were identified in hydrolysed duodenal bile: 3alpha-hydroxy-12-oxo-5beta-cholanoic and 3beta,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acids. Quantitative analysis of one sample showed the amounts of these compounds to be about 2 and 0.5%, respectively, of the amount of deoxycholic acid. A small percentage of deoxycholic acid, less than 3%, was found in a fraction having the chromatographic property of conjugated bile acid sulphates. About 15% of the identified metabolites were found in this fraction, which also contained more than 50% of the biliary lithocholate and 90% of the biliary 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate.