Studies on Bile Acids in Bear Bile

Abstract

The following 5 samples of bear bile were analyzed: two Japanese bear bites, JBB₁ and JBB₂; three Himalayan bear bites, HBB, FUt, and FUm. Two types, A and B, of bile acid pattern were found in these samples: Type A-The major acid was cholic acid, inclusive of its secondary acid (deoxycholic acid) (JBB₁, JBB₂, and FUt); type B-The major acid was ursodeoxycholic acid, inclusive of its primary acid (chenodeoxycholic acid) (HBB and FUm). This finding might constitute a taxonomically significant criterion among the species of Ursidae.
The total concentration of bile acids was found to be high in samples JBB₂, HBB, FUt, and FUm, whereas that of sample JBB₁ was very low. Concentration differences in total bile acids were discussed in relation to the length of the hibernation (fasting) period of the species of Ursidae.