Bile acids are synthesized in the liver from which precursor?

Bile acids are synthesized in the liver from which precursor?

• A. Bilirubin
• B. Fatty acid
• C. Cholesterol
• D. Triglyceride

Answer: (C)

Bile acids are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. Cholesterol serves as the substrate for the bile acid synthesis pathway, starting with cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting step that creates 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol. Through a sequence of reactions this leads to the primary bile acids, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, which are usually conjugated with glycine or taurine before secretion into bile. Bilirubin is a heme breakdown product and not a bile acid precursor; fatty acids and triglycerides are storage lipids and do not directly become bile acids.

Bile acids are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. Cholesterol serves as the substrate for the bile acid synthesis pathway, starting with cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting step that creates 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol. Through a sequence of reactions this leads to the primary bile acids, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, which are usually conjugated with glycine or taurine before secretion into bile. Bilirubin is a heme breakdown product and not a bile acid precursor; fatty acids and triglycerides are storage lipids and do not directly become bile acids.