Chenodeoxycholic acid (also known as chenodesoxycholic acid and chenocholic acid) is a bile acid. It occurs as a white crystalline substance insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol and acetic acid, with melting point at 165-167 ºC. Salts of this carboxylic acid are called chenodeoxycholates. Chenodeoxycholic acid is one of the 4 main organic acids produced by the liver.
The main effect of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) is to reduce the saturation of cholesterol in the bile. After taking CDCA (when CDCA accounts for 70% of bile salt in bile), the lipid will return to the state of micro colloid, and the cholesterol will be in unsaturated state, so that the cholesterol in the stone will dissolve and fall off. High dose CDCA (10-15 miligramos / kg daily) can inhibit cholesterol synthesis and increase bile secretion in patients with cholelithiasis, but the secretion of bile salt and phospholipid remains unchanged.
1.Chenodeoxycholic acid has been used as medical therapy to dissolve gallstones.
2.Chenodeoxycholic acid can be used in the treatment of cerebrotendineous xanthomatosis.
3.It can treatment for Hepatitis C infection that combines chenodeoxycholic acid with bezafibrate.
