| cholic | Relating to the bile. Synonym: choleic. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| cholic acid | A family of steroids comprising the bile acids (or salts), generally in conjugated form (e.g., glycocholic and taurocholic acids). Chemically, cholic acids are cholan-24-oic (cholanic) acids (the terminal C24 of cholane becoming a -COOH group); biologically, cholic acids are derived from cholesterol (a cholestane derivative) and display varying degrees of oxidation (OH groups) and orientation at positions 3, 7, and 12. It is these oxidations and orientations that distinguish the several cholic acid; e.g., cholic acid is 3a,7a,12a-trihydroxy-5b-cholan-24-oic acid, deoxycholic acid is 3a,12a-dihydroxy-5b-cholanic acid. Synonym: cholalic acid, cholanic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cholic acids | <chemical> The 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanic acid family of bile acids in man, usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. They act as detergents to solubilise fats for intestinal absorption, are reabsorbed by the small intestine, and are used as cholagogues and choleretics. Pharmacological action: cholagogues and choleretics, gastrointestinal agents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cholicele | Enlargement of the gallbladder due to retained fluids. Origin: G. Chole, bile, + kele, tumour (05 Mar 2000) |