Bitocholic acid

The origin of the 3a,7a,12a,23 -tetrahydroxy-5 -cholanic has been studied [163] with subcellular fractions of adder Vipera berua) liver with the following conclusions the active microsomal enzyme requires NADPH and O2 deoxycholate is not converted to cholate, but to 3a,7, 12a-trihydroxy-5)8-cholanate. Bitocholic acid could result from two pathways (a) cholate is converted to 3a,7a,12a,23 -tetrahy-droxy-5j8-cholanate by hepatic 23-hydroxylase the tetrahydroxy acid is 7a-dehy-droxylated by intestinal microorganisms to produce bitocholate (the 3a,12a,23 -tri-... 

This 23-hydroxylated derivative of deoxycholic acid has been detected as a component of the bile of certain snakes, especially of the family Vipe-ridae. Specifically the acid has been isolated from Bitis arietans, Bitis gabo-nica, and Russell s viper (4, 136). In these snakes, bitocholic acid occurs along with the 23-hydroxylated derivative of cholic acid (see below). 

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