Epimerization, oxidation and reduction of bile acids by Eubacterium lentum

Summary Twenty-eight strains of Eubacterium lentum were divided into five groups on the basis of their ability to metabolize cholic acid and dehydrocholic acid: (I) Strains with 3α- and 3/β-dehydrogenating activities (1 strain), (II) strains with 12α-dehydrogenating activity (5 strains), (III) strains with 3α-, 3β-, 7α-, and 12α-dehydrogenating activities (8 isolates), (IV) transition stages between group II and III (1 strain), (V) strains devoid of any measurable bile acid metabolizing activities or with only trace activities (11 isolates). Using appropriate bile acids it was demonstrated that hydroxyl or keto groups at positions C 3 , C 7 , and C 12 did not influence bile acid transformat…