Glycocholic Acid Unit Converter

Glycocholic acid (GCA) is a conjugated bile acid formed when cholic acid, one of the two primary bile acids made by the liver, is linked to the amino acid glycine. This conjugation makes the molecule more water-soluble so it can do its job in the gut.

In humans, about three-quarters of bile acids are conjugated to glycine rather than taurine, making glycine conjugates such as GCA the predominant forms circulating in bile. GCA is also known as cholylglycine or glycine cholate.

A serum bile acid profile measures GCA alongside other individual bile acid species to evaluate how well the liver, biliary system, and intestine are working together.

Hepatocytes (liver cells) synthesize cholic acid from cholesterol and then conjugate it with glycine to form glycocholic acid. After secretion into bile and release into the small intestine, about 95% is reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and returned to the liver through the portal vein.