Cholesterol Derivatives Explained: Bile Acids, Steroid Hormones, And Vitamin D

Cholesterol Derivatives Explained: Bile Acids, Steroid Hormones, And Vitamin D

Name derivatives of cholesterol. Give biochemical importance of 3 derivatives.
Answer:

Derivatives of Cholesterol:

1. Bile acids

1. Primary bile acids
   • Cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid are primary bile acids
   • In the intestine, these acids undergo deconjugation and dehydroxylation to form secondary bile acids
2. Conjugated bile acids
   • Conjugation with glycine and taurine forms conjugated bile acids – glycocholic add and taurocholic acid
   • They function as a surfactant
   • In bile, they exist as sodium and potassium salts called bile salts

2. Steroid hormones

1. Glucocorticoids – cortisol
   • Promotes gluconeogenesis
   • Increases circulating free fatty acids
   • Exhibits catabolic and anabolic effects on protein and nucleic acid metabolism
2. Mineralocorticoids – aldosterone
   • Regulate water and electrolyte balance
3. Androgen, estrogens, progestrin
   • Affects sexual development and function

3. Vitamin D

• 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted into cholecalciferol – vitamin D
• Required for growth and development of bones