It is now clear that bile acid function as hormones or nutrient signaling molecules that help to regulate glucose, lipid, lipoprotein, energy metabolism and inflammatory responses (5, 6).

Is bile a hormone or enzyme?

Bile acids have long been known to facilitate digestion and absorption of lipids in the small intestine. Recently, it has been demonstrated that bile acids also function as hormones that bind to nuclear receptors and, through that mechanism, modulate expression of proteins involved in cholesterol homeostasis.

Is bile acid a steroid hormone?

Bile acids are steroid compounds derived from cholesterol, which are produced in the liver of vertebrates and serve as detergents for the solubilisation of water-insoluble nutrients in the intestine and as signalling molecules5–7.