Studies on Bile Acids in Bear Bile

The following 5 samples of bear bile were analyzed: two Japanese bear biles, JBB1 and JBB2; three Himalayan bear biles, 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 taxono-mically 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.