The metabolism of lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate by human intestinal microflora.

Lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate is metabolized by human intestinal microflora to nonpolar metabolites which have been partially purified by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. These metabolites were characterized by thin layer and gas liquid chromatography as well as combined gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chromatographic properties of one of the metabolites are consistent with those described for a delta2- or delta3-cholenate. The formation of cholenates by the microflora may represent a retoxification of the sulfate ester of lithocholic acid.