Mechanism of intestinal 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid: evidence that allo-deoxycholic acid is an inducible side-product

We previously reported that the 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid appears to be carried out by a multi-step pathway in intestinal anaerobic bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. The pathway is hypothesized to involve an initial oxidation of the 3 alpha-hydroxy group and the introduction of a double bond at C4-C5 generating a 3-oxo-4-cholenoic bile acid intermediate. The loss of water generates a 3-oxo-4,6-choldienoic bile acid which is reduced (three steps) yielding deoxycholic acid. We synthesized, in radiolabel, the following putative bile acid intermediates of this pathway 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid, 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4,6-choldienoic acid, and 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid and showed that they could be converted to 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid (deoxycholic acid) by whole cells or cell extracts of Eubacterium sp. VPI 12708. During studies of this pathway, we discovered the accumulation of two unidentified bile acid intermediates formed from cholic acid. These bile acids were purified by thin-layer chromatography and identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-5 alpha-cholanoic acid and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholanoic (allo-deoxycholic acid). Allo-deoxycholic acid was formed only in cell extracts prepared from bacteria induced by cholic acid, suggesting that their formation may be a branch of the cholic acid 7 alpha-dehydroxylation pathway in this bacterium.     

Identification of new C27 and C24 bile acids in the bile of Alligator mississippiensis

Biliary bile acids of Alligator mississippiensis were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after fractionation by silica gel column chromatography. It was shown that the alligator bile contained 12 C27 bile acids and 8 C24 bile acids. In addition to the C27 bile acids, such as 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, identified previously in the bile of A. mississippiensis, 3 alpha,7 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 7 beta,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,26-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, and 1 beta,3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid were newly identified. And in addition to the C24 bile acids, such as chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and allocholic acid, identified previously, deoxycholic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-enoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-chol-22-enoic acid, and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-enoic acid were newly identified.     

Synthesis of potential cholelitholytic agents: 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 beta-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 alpha-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid

This report describes the chemical synthesis of six new bile acid analogs, namely, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 beta-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 beta-methyl-cholic acid), 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 alpha-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 alpha-methyl-ursocholic acid), 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 xi-methyl-deoxycholic acid), 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-7-en-24-oic acid, 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methylene-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The carboxyl group of the starting material 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid was protected by conversion to its oxazoline derivative. A Grignard reaction of the bile acid oxazoline with CH3MgI followed by acid hydrolysis gave two epimeric trihydroxy-7-methyl-cholanoic acids and three dehydration products. The latter were purified by silica gel column chromatography and silica gel-AgNO3 column chromatography of their methyl ester derivatives. Catalytic hydrogenation of 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methylene-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid gave 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid. The configuration of the 7-methyl groups and the position of the double bonds were assigned by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of the new compounds. These compounds were synthesized for the purpose of exploring new and potentially more effective cholelitholytic agents. The hydrophilic bile acids 7 beta-methyl-cholic acid and 7 alpha-methyl-ursocholic acid are of particular interest because they should be resistant to bacterial 7-dehydroxylation.     

Isocholic acid formation from 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid with human liver enzyme

The formation of isocholic acid from 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid by human liver preparations was examined in vitro. Liver preparations were incubated with 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid at pH 7.4 in a phosphate buffer containing NADPH or NADH. The products formed were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results showed that 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid was reduced mainly to isocholic acid and to cholic acid in a smaller amount in the presence of NADPH, while it was reduced only to cholic acid in the presence of NADH. The reducing enzyme participating in the formation of isocholic acid was localized largely in the cytosol and had more specificity to the unconjugated form as substrate than to the conjugated forms. 3-Keto bile acid analogues, 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic and 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acids were not reduced to the corresponding iso-bile acids by the cytosol in the same conditions used in the isocholic acid formation and the activity of the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid to isocholic acid was not inhibited by the addition of 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid or 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid to the reaction mixture. Furthermore, on column chromatography of Affi-Gel Blue, the peak of the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid to isocholic acid was clearly distinguished from that of the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid to isolithocholic acid and that of alcohol dehydrogenase. These results indicate that this enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid to isocholic acid is different from the enzyme(s) catalyzing the reduction 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic and 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acids to the corresponding iso-bile acids and from alcohol dehydrogenase, and has a stereospecific character for 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid.     

Characterization of trisubstituted cholanoic acids in human feces

The trisubstituted cholanoic acids in human feces have been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The following bile acids have been identified: 3 Beta,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-, 3 Beta,7 Beta,12alpha-trihydroxy-, 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-12-keto-5 Beta-cholanoic acids and 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5alpha-cholanoic acid. The presence in human feces of 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-, 3alpha,7,12alpha-trihydroxy-, and 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7-keto-5 Beta-cholanoic acids has been confirmed. The composition of bile acids in human feces is summarized and possible metabolic interrelationships suggested.     

Ketonic bile acids in urine of infants during the neonatal period

Ketonic bile acids have been found to be quantitatively important in urine of healthy infants during the neonatal period. In order to determine their structures, the bile acids in urine from 11 healthy infants were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) and three samples with particularly high levels of ketonic bile acids were selected for detailed studies by ion exchange chromatography, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, microchemical reactions, and GLC-MS. The major ketonic bile acid was identified as 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-chol-1-enoic acid, not previously described as a naturally occurring bile acid. The positional isomer 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid, recently described as a major urinary bile acid in infants with severe liver diseases, was also excreted by most infants. Three acids related to cholic acid were identified: 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-, 3 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-, and 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-12-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acids. Five bile acids having one oxo and three hydroxy groups were also present. Based on mass spectra and biological considerations two of these were tentatively given the structures 1 beta, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-3-oxo- and 1 beta, 3 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acids. Some of the others had a hydroxy group at C-4 or C-2. The levels of ketonic bile acids were higher on the third than on the first day of life, and lower after 1 month. The formation and excretion especially of 3-oxo bile acids is proposed to result from changes of the redox state in the liver in connection with birth.     

Similarity of unusual bile acids in human umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid from newborns and in sera and urine from adult patients with cholestatic liver diseases

Unusual bile acids in umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid of term newborns and in sera and urine from adult patients with cholestatic liver diseases were analyzed by use of gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These bile acids were compared in order to elucidate possible similarities of bile acid metabolism between fetal and cholestatic liver. In both umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid, 14 unusual bile acids were found in addition to normal bile acids (cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, and lithocholic acids), and 15, excluding ursodeoxycholic acid, were found in sera and urine from patients with cholestatic liver diseases. Of the unusual bile acids detected, 12 were common to both samples. Six unusual bile acids, 3 beta-hydroxy- and 3 beta,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholenoic acids, 3 alpha,6 alpha,7 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 1 beta,3 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-1 beta,3 alpha,7 alpha-trihydroxy-, and 1 beta,3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acids were more abundant than others. They could be classified into three groups, i.e., unsaturated, 6-hydroxylated, and 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids. 1 beta-Hydroxylated bile acids, which were not found in serum specimens, were detected in sera from umbilical cord blood and from patients with cholestatic liver diseases. The presence of these unusual bile acids suggested similarities between the altered metabolic states of the two groups examined.     

Metabolism of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by rat liver in vivo and in vitro.

The metabolism of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid was studied in the bile fistula rats and in preparations from rat liver homogenates. In the bile fistula rats, the main products were chenodeoxycholic acid, alpha-muricholic acid, and beta-muricholic acid. Only small amounts of cholic acid were formed. Incubations of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid with microsomes and NADPH yielded as the main product 3 alpha, 6 beta, 7 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. The formation of small amounts of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid was shown. The major product in incubations of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid with microsomes and the 100,000 g supernatant fluid fortified with ATP was identified as 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 24 xi-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. This compound was converted into chenodeoxycholic acid and its metabolites in the bile fistula rat.     

The nature of bile salt micelles as studied by deuterium NMR.

Deuterium NMR of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7dideutero-5beta-cholanic acid was studied. Molcular sizes obtained from deuterium spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) data of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid in methanol and in water are in accordance with monometic and tetrameric structures in the two media, respectively. The deuterium T1 and intensity of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid in aqueous solution at pH 8.0--8.8 were studied as functions of NcC1 and lecithin concentrations. The results indicated that tetramers are in equilibrium with larger aggregates when secondary micelles are formed in the precense of NaC1, and that 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid forms mixed micelles with lecithin with a molecular ratio of 2 : 3.     

Bile acid synthesis in cultured human hepatoblastoma cells.

Biosynthetic pathways to bile acids have been studied in HepG2 cells, a well-differentiated human hepatoblastoma cell line. Cholesterol metabolites, in total 29, were isolated from culture media and cells by liquid-solid extraction and anion-exchange chromatography and were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The production rates/concentrations of cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) in media from control cells were 71 and 74 ng/10(7) cells/h, respectively. Major bile acid precursors were 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid (THCA), 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid, 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid, and 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid, their concentrations being 60, 30, 23, and 10 ng/10(7) cells/h, respectively. These and nine other isolated intermediates formed essentially complete metabolic sequences from cholesterol to CA and CDCA. The remaining steroids were metabolites of the intermediates or autooxidation products of cholesterol. These findings and the observed effect of dexamethasone on production rates suggest that in HepG2 cells the major biosynthetic pathways to primary bile acids start with 7 alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol and oxidation to 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one followed by hydroxylation at either the 26 or 12 alpha position. CDCA is formed by the sequence of 26-hydroxylation, oxidation, and degradation of the side chain and A-ring reduction. CA is formed by the sequence of 12 alpha-hydroxylation, 26-hydroxylation, oxidation, and degradation of the side chain and reduction of the A-ring. An alternative pathway to CA included A-ring reduction of the intermediate 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid to form THCA prior to side chain cleavage. These pathways are not limited to HepG2 cells but may also be important in humans.     

12 beta-dehydrogenation of bile acids by Clostridium paraputrificum, C. tertium, and C. difficile and epimerization at carbon-12 of deoxycholic acid by cocultivation with 12 alpha-dehydrogenating Eubacterium lentum

12 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenating activities were detected in 13 strains of Clostridium paraputrificum, 1 strain of C. tertium, and 1 strain of C. difficile, together with a 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase system in many strains. Redox reactions a C-12 of disubstituted and trisubstituted bile acids were performed unspecifically by representative strains of C. paraputrificum. 3 alpha,12 beta-, 3 beta,12 beta-Dihydroxy-, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 beta-trihydroxy-, and 3-keto,12 beta-hydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acids, so far not known as bacterial bile acid metabolites, were identified. Epimerization of the 12 alpha-hydroxyl group of deoxycholate via the 12-keto intermediate was achieved by cocultivation of C. paraputrificum and Eubacterium lentum, elaborating a 12 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase only. In addition, epimerization at C-12 was demonstrated with mixed human fecal cultures.     

12 beta-dehydrogenation of bile acids by Clostridium paraputrificum, C. tertium, and C. difficile and epimerization at carbon-12 of deoxycholic acid by cocultivation with 12 alpha-dehydrogenating Eubacterium lentum.

12 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenating activities were detected in 13 strains of Clostridium paraputrificum, 1 strain of C. tertium, and 1 strain of C. difficile, together with a 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase system in many strains. Redox reactions a C-12 of disubstituted and trisubstituted bile acids were performed unspecifically by representative strains of C. paraputrificum. 3 alpha,12 beta-, 3 beta,12 beta-Dihydroxy-, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 beta-trihydroxy-, and 3-keto,12 beta-hydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acids, so far not known as bacterial bile acid metabolites, were identified. Epimerization of the 12 alpha-hydroxyl group of deoxycholate via the 12-keto intermediate was achieved by cocultivation of C. paraputrificum and Eubacterium lentum, elaborating a 12 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase only. In addition, epimerization at C-12 was demonstrated with mixed human fecal cultures.     

Formation of ursodeoxycholic acid from chenodeoxycholic acid by a 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-elaborating Eubacterium aerofaciens strain cocultured with 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-elaborating organisms.

A gram-positive, anaerobic, chain-forming, rod-shaped anaerobe (isolate G20-7) was isolated from normal human feces. This organism was identified by cellular morphology as well as fermentative and biochemical data as Eubacterium aerofaciens. When isolate G20-7 was grown in the presence of Bacteroides fragilis or Escherichia coli (or another 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase producer) and chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid produced. Time course curves revealed that 3 alpha-hydroxy-7-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid produced by B. fragilis or E. coli or introduced into the medium as a pure substance was reduced by G20-7 specifically to ursodeoxycholic acid. The addition of glycine- and taurine-conjugated primary bile acids (chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids) and other bile acids to binary cultures of B. fragilis and G20-7 revealed that (i) both conjugates were hydrolyzed to give free bile acids, (ii) ursocholic acid (3 alpha, 7 beta, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid) was produced when conjugated (or free) cholic acid was the substrate, and (iii) the epimerization reaction was at least partially reversible. Corroborating these observations, an NADP-dependent 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (reacting specifically with 7 beta-OH-groups) was demonstrated in cell-free preparations of isolate G20-7; production of the enzyme was optimal at between 12 and 18 h of growth. This enzyme, when measured in the oxidative direction, was active with ursodeoxycholic acid, ursocholic acid, and the taurine conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid (but not with chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, or cholic acids) and displayed an optimal pH range of 9.8 to 10.2     

Formation of ursodeoxycholic acid from chenodeoxycholic acid by a 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-elaborating Eubacterium aerofaciens strain cocultured with 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-elaborating organisms

A gram-positive, anaerobic, chain-forming, rod-shaped anaerobe (isolate G20-7) was isolated from normal human feces. This organism was identified by cellular morphology as well as fermentative and biochemical data as Eubacterium aerofaciens. When isolate G20-7 was grown in the presence of Bacteroides fragilis or Escherichia coli (or another 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase producer) and chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid produced. Time course curves revealed that 3 alpha-hydroxy-7-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid produced by B. fragilis or E. coli or introduced into the medium as a pure substance was reduced by G20-7 specifically to ursodeoxycholic acid. The addition of glycine- and taurine-conjugated primary bile acids (chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids) and other bile acids to binary cultures of B. fragilis and G20-7 revealed that (i) both conjugates were hydrolyzed to give free bile acids, (ii) ursocholic acid (3 alpha, 7 beta, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid) was produced when conjugated (or free) cholic acid was the substrate, and (iii) the epimerization reaction was at least partially reversible. Corroborating these observations, an NADP-dependent 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (reacting specifically with 7 beta-OH-groups) was demonstrated in cell-free preparations of isolate G20-7; production of the enzyme was optimal at between 12 and 18 h of growth. This enzyme, when measured in the oxidative direction, was active with ursodeoxycholic acid, ursocholic acid, and the taurine conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid (but not with chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, or cholic acids) and displayed an optimal pH range of 9.8 to 10.2     

Bile salts of the green turtle Chelonia mydas (L.)

1. Bile salts of the green turtle Chelonia mydas (L.) were analysed as completely as possible. 2. They consist of taurine conjugates of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 22 xi-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (tetrahydroxysterocholanic acid) and 3 alpha 12 alpha, 22 xi-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid, with minor amounts of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (cholic acid), 3alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (deoxycholic acid) and possibly other bile acids. 3. Cholic acid and deoxycholic acid represent the first known examples of bile acids common to chelonians and other animal forms: they may indicate independent evolution in chelonians to C24 bile acids. 4. The discovery of a 7-deoxy C27 bile acid is the first evidence that C27 bile acids or their conjugates have an enterohepatic circulation.     

NAD- and NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from bacteroides fragilis.

Twenty strains of Bacteroides fragilis were screened for hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity in cell-free preparations. Eighteen strains were shown to contain NAD-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Sixteen of the strains containing the NAD-dependent enzyme also contained NADP-depedent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, but invariably in lesser amounts. A strain particulary rich in both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities was selected for further study. Measurement of activity as a function of pH revealed a fairly sharp optimal activity range of 9.5--10.0 for the NAD-dependent enzyme and a broad flat optimal range of 7.0--9.0 for the NADP-dependent enzyme. Michaelis constants for trihydroxy-bile acids for the NAD-dependent enzyme were in the range of 0.32--0.34 mM, whereas dihydroxy-bile acids gave a Km of 0.1 mM. Thin-layer chromatography studies on the oxidation product of 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid (chenodeoxycholic acid) by the dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3alpha-hydroxy, 7-keto-5beta-cholanoic acid. Similarly the oxidation product of chenodeoxycholic acid by both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and commercially available 3alpha-hy-droxysteroid dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3,7-diketo-5beta-cholanoic acid. Neither of these two oxidation products could be distinguished from those by the Escherichia coli dehydrogenase oxidation previously reported. Disc-gel electrophoresis of a cell-free lyophilized preparation indicated one active band for NAD-dependent activity of mobility similar to that for the NADP-dependent E. coli enzyme. The NADP-dependent dehydrogenase was unstable and rapidly lost activity after polyacylamide disc-gel electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, freezing on refrigeration at 4 degrees C. No 3 alpha- or 12alpha-oriented oxidoreductase activity was demonstrated in any of the strains examined.     

The effect of cholesterol feeding on gallbladder bile acids of the rabbit. Evidence that lithocholic acid is a primary bile acid in the rabbit.

The bile acid in gallbladder bile of rabbits fed a normal diet or one containing 2% (w/w) cholesterol have been determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The predominant bile acids in normally fed rabbits were 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (cholic acid), 3 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholan-24-oic acid (allodeoxycholic acid) and 3 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (deoxycholic acid) with very much smaller amounts of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (lithocholic acid) and 3 alpha, 12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. In the cholesterol-fed animals the lithocholate became a predominant bile acid. Sulphated bile acids accounted for less than 1% of the total bile acids. It is proposed that lithocholic acid may be a primary bile acid in the cholesterol-fed rabbit, formed by an alternative pathway of biosynthesis involving hepatic mitochondria.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of bile acids. Development of two-dimensional NMR methods for the elucidation of proton resonance assignments for five common hydroxylated bile acids, and their parent bile acid, 5 beta-cholanoic acid

The complete 1H nuclear magnetic resonance assignments have been made for the common mono-, di-, and trihydroxy 5 beta-cholanoic acids; lithocholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and the unsubstituted parent compound, 5 beta-cholanoic acid, by heteronuclear-correlated two-dimensional NMR. The known 13C chemical shifts of these compounds were used to make the proton resonance assignments, and consistency of the carbon and proton assignments was verified by expected changes due to substituent effects. This has led to clarification of previously published 13C NMR resonance assignments. Addition of the 3 alpha, 7 alpha, and 12 alpha hydroxyl substituent effects derived from the mono- and dihydroxycholanoic acids yielded predicted values for proton chemical shifts of the trihydroxy-substituted 5 beta-cholanoic acid, cholic acid, that agreed well with experimental values. It is suggested that the individual substituent effects can be used to predict proton chemical shifts for hydroxycholanic acids containing other combinations of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 7 beta, and 12 alpha hydroxyl groups.     

Bile salts of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae

Bile salts of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, Smith, have been analyzed and shown to have three bile alcohols, latimerol, 5 alpha-cyprinol, and 5 alpha-cholestane-3 beta, 7 alpha,-12 alpha,25,26-pentol, two C24 bile acids, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid, one C26 bile acid, probably 3 beta, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-27-nor-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid, and two C27 bile acids, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid and 3 beta,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid as determined by gas-liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.     

In vitro formation of bile acids from di- and trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid in human liver peroxisomes

The conversion of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-[3H]cholestanoic acid into cholic acid and 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-[3H]cholestanoic acid into chenodeoxycholic acid has been studied in subcellular fractions of human liver. The products were separated from the substrates by high-pressure liquid chromatography and identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The highest rates of conversion were found in the light mitochondrial fraction. This fraction also contained the highest amount of the marker enzymes for peroxisomes. The maximal rates of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid formation were 1.3 and 1.8 nmol/mg protein per h, respectively. The presence of KCN in the incubation medium stimulated the formation of bile acids. Peroxisomes were prepared from the light mitochondrial fraction by sucrose-gradient centrifugation. By use of different marker enzymes, it was confirmed that the major part of the activity for cholic acid formation in the light mitochondrial fraction was located in the peroxisomes. It is concluded that liver peroxisomes are important for the oxidative cleavage of the C27 steroid side chain in bile acid formation in man.