Synthetic bile acid compositions and methods

Abstract

Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for mediating body contouring in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering locally to fat tissue in the subject a composition comprising: a therapeutically effective amount of deoxycholic acid (DCA) or a salt thereof, wherein the DCA has a  14 C content of less than 0.86 ppt; at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient; and optionally a lipid; wherein local administration of the composition mediates body contouring by killing fat cells and causing skin tightening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fat tissue is associated with a condition selected from the group consisting of obesity, fat redistribution syndrome, eyelid fat herniation, lipomas, Dercum's disease, lipodystrophy, buffalo hump lipodystrophy, dorsocervical fat, visceral adiposity, breast enlargement, hyperadiposity, diffused body fat around trunk and arms, and fat deposits associated with cellulite. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the DCA salt is sodium deoxycholate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the administering involves delivering the composition via a subcutaneous or transdermal injection. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the DCA or the salt thereof is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.1% w/v to about 2% w/v. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lipid is phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein phosphatidylcholine is present in the composition in an amount of up to 5% w/v. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein phosphatidylcholine is present in the composition in an amount that is less than the deoxycholic acid or salt thereof in mass.