Analysis Interactions of Chitosan and A Bile Salt (Sodium Taurocholate) by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) (CAT#: STEM-MB-2547-LGZ)

Introduction

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world and elevated blood cholesterol levels are thought to be a major factor. People are encouraged to eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains to reduce the risk of the disease, as these foods contain relatively high levels of dietary fiber, which is thought to help lower blood cholesterol levels. Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and secreted into the duodenum via the enterohepatic cycle. Normally, most bile acids are reabsorbed and returned to the liver, leaving the bile acid pool unchanged. It has been suggested that the ability of certain dietary fibers to lower cholesterol levels is due to their ability to interfere with bile acid reabsorption. Any loss of bile acids promotes hepatic cholesterol oxidation, which lowers total blood cholesterol to maintain bile acid pools. It is important to currently search for another more natural, biocompatible and non-toxic bile acid sequestrant.