chenodeoxycholic acid

noun

che·​no·​de·​ox·​y·​cho·​lic acid ˌkē-(ˌ)nō-ˌdē-ˌäk-si-ˌkō-lik- How to pronounce chenodeoxycholic acid (audio) -ˌkäl-ik- How to pronounce chenodeoxycholic acid (audio)
variants or chenodesoxycholic acid
: a bile acid C24H40O4 that is usually found conjugated with glycine or taurine in various vertebrates (as hens, geese, hogs, and bears) including humans, that facilitates fat absorption and cholesterol excretion, and that is used to dissolve gallstones which are not calcified

Note: Chenodeoxycholic acid is often called chenodiol when it is used as a drug to dissolve gallstones.

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Cite this Entry

“Chenodeoxycholic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/chenodeoxycholic%20acid. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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