How Do You Spell DESOXYCHOLIC ACID?

1. Desoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid that plays a vital role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. It is commonly found in the bile of humans and animals and is synthesized in the liver by the oxidation of cholesterol.

   Chemically, desoxycholic acid belongs to the class of steroid molecules, characterized by the presence of a steroid nucleus and a carboxylic acid group. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and ethanol.

   In terms of its functions, desoxycholic acid acts as a detergent to emulsify and solubilize dietary fats, aiding in their breakdown and subsequent absorption in the small intestine. It assists in the transport of fats across the intestinal lining and facilitates their incorporation into cells for further metabolism and utilization by the body.

   Desoxycholic acid also plays a role in the enterohepatic circulation, which is the recycling of bile acids from the intestines back to the liver. This recycling process ensures the continuous availability of bile acids for digestion and absorption of dietary fats.

   Furthermore, desoxycholic acid has been utilized in medical and cosmetic applications. It is used as an active ingredient in certain medications for the treatment of gallstones and as a dissolution agent in fat reduction injections. In cosmetic procedures, it is employed for the reduction of localized fat deposits, typically in the chin or submental area, as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction.

Common Misspellings for DESOXYCHOLIC ACID

The word "desoxycholic acid" has a straightforward etymology.

"Deso-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "desmos", which means "bond". In this case, "deso-" indicates the removal or absence of something.

"Cholic" is derived from "cholic acid", which is a primary bile acid found in the small intestine of humans and animals. The term "cholic" comes from the Greek word "cholē", meaning "bile".

Thus, "desoxycholic acid" refers to a bile acid that has undergone a process of removing or altering one or more chemical bonds.