Taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA) is a taurine-conjugated form of the secondary bile acid hyodeoxycholic acid .1 THDCA decreases the size and weight of human gallstones in vitro. It increases bile flow, biliary cholesterol secretion, and biliary lipid secretion in rats.2 Co-administration of THDCA with taurochenodeoxycholic acid prevents TCDCA-induced hepatotoxicity, increasing bile flow as well as biliary acid and phospholipid secretion in rats.3 THDCA also reduces myeloperoxidase activity, expression of TNF-α and IL-6, and colonic damage in a mouse model of TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis.4
1.Angelico, M., Mogavero, L., Baiocchi, L., et al.Dissolution of human cholesterol gallstones in bile salt/lecithin mixtures: effect of bile salt hydrophobicity and various pHsScand. J. Gastroenterol.30(12)1178-1185(1995) 2.Angelico, M., Baiocchi, L., Nistri, A., et al.Effect of taurohyodeoxycholic acid, a hydrophilic bile salt, on bile salt and biliary lipid secretion in the ratDig. Dis. Sci.39(11)2389-2397(1994) 3.Roda, A., Piazza, F., Baraldini, M., et al.Taurohyodeoxycholic acid protects against taurochenodeoxycholic acid-induced cholestasis in the ratHepatology27(2)520-525(1998) 4.He, J., Liang, J., Zhu, S., et al.Protective effect of taurohyodeoxycholic acid from Pulvis Fellis Suis on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced ulcerative colitis in miceEur. J. Pharmacol.670(1)229-235(2011)