Glycocholic Acid

Glycocholic Acid (CAS No.: 475-31-0) is a glycine-conjugated primary bile acid derived from cholic acid, functioning as an endogenous amphipathic molecule that facilitates lipid digestion and absorption through its detergent-like properties in the gastrointestinal tract. As a key component of bile acid pools, it plays an essential role in maintaining lipid homeostasis and modulating enterohepatic circulation, while also participating in bile acid–mediated signaling pathways that influence metabolic regulation and cellular responses. In biomedical research, glycocholic acid is widely utilized as a representative conjugated bile acid for studying bile acid transporters, membrane permeability, and receptor-mediated signaling, including interactions with nuclear and membrane-associated bile acid receptors implicated in metabolic and inflammatory processes. Emerging evidence indicates that glycocholic acid may exhibit anticancer activity by modulating both pump resistance-related and non-pump resistance-related pathways, supporting its relevance in investigations of tumor biology and drug resistance mechanisms. Altered levels of glycocholic acid have been observed in hepatobiliary disorders, with elevated concentrations reported in conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, highlighting its potential utility as a biomarker in disease profiling and translational studies. In vitro studies typically employ concentrations in the nanomolar to micromolar range depending on the cellular context, and it is commonly applied in cell-based assays, metabolic profiling, and analytical method development, while in vivo applications depend on experimental design and pharmacokinetic considerations.