Bile acid synthesis is increased in Chilean Hispanics with gallstones and in gallstone high-risk Mapuche Indians

Galman, C; Miquel, JF; Pérez RM; Einarsson, C; Stahle, L; Marshall G.; Nervi, F; Rudling, M

Abstract

Background & Aims: Gallstone disease is an important, costly health-care problem in Western societies. It is still unclear whether hepatic lipid regulatory enzymes play primary or secondary roles in gallstone formation. In this study, the aim was to investigate whether the synthesis of bile acids and cholesterol is increased in gallstone disease and to test whether such a metabolic change, if present, might occur before gallstone formation. Methods: A total of 125 Chilean Hispanic women (80 without gallstones and 45 with gallstones) matched for age and body mass index were investigated, along with 40 Chilean Mapuche Indian women (20 without gallstones and 20 with gallstones), a population group in which the prevalence for gallstone disease is very high. Fasting blood plasma samples were assayed for 7? -hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and lathosterol, 2 strong indicators for hepatic bile acid and body cholesterol synthesis, respectively. Results: Plasma 7?-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one levels, corrected for plasma cholesterol, were significantly increased by 50% in Hispanic women with gallstones as compared with gallstone-free Hispanics (P < 0.006). As compared with Hispanic women without gallstones, plasma 7?-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one levels were increased by ?100% (P < 0.002) in Mapuche Indian women, independently of whether gallstones were present. Plasma lathosterol, corrected for plasma cholesterol, was significantly increased by 22% in Hispanic women with gallstones and in Mapuche Indian women compared with Hispanic women. Conclusions: The results indicate that the synthesis of bile acids and cholesterol is induced in gallstone disease and precedes gallstone development. These inductions presumably occur as a response to an increased intestinal loss of bile acids.

Más información

Título según WOS: Bile acid synthesis is increased in Chilean Hispanics with gallstones and in gallstone high-risk Mapuche Indians
Título según SCOPUS: Bile Acid Synthesis Is Increased in Chilean Hispanics with Gallstones and in Gallstone High-Risk Mapuche Indians
Título de la Revista: GASTROENTEROLOGY
Volumen: 126
Número: 3
Editorial: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC
Fecha de publicación: 2004
Página de inicio: 741
Página final: 748
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016508503020225
DOI:

10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.009

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS