An intermediate in the synthesis of ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid; has been found in the gastric tissues of C57BL/6J mice, KM mice, Sprague-Dawley rats, New Zealand white rabbits, and JX black pigs; fecal levels are increased in children with hepatic glycogen storage disease; the sodium salt form, 12-MKA, increases brain uptake of quinine, the analgesic effect of morphine in the hot plate test, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in rats at 2 mg/kg; 12-MKA promotes nasal absorption of insulin and increases the duration of local anesthesia induced by lidocaine in rats