Effects of vitamin C administration on cholesterol gallstone formation

Del Pozo, R; Munoz M.; Dumas, A; Tapia C.; Munoz, K. ; Fuentes F.; Maldonado, M; Jungst, D

Abstract

Background: Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol micro crystals are derived from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. In experimental animals vitamin C deficiency leads to a super-saturation of biliary cholesterol and to the formation of gallstones. Aim: To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with cholelithiasis and a programmed surgical intervention were treated with 2 g/day of vitamin C per os for two weeks before surgery. Forty nine patients subjected to a cholecystectomy not supplemented with vitamin C were studied as controls. Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and lipid profiles were measured. The cholesterol saturation index, crystallization time, cholesterol and phospholipid content in vesicles and micelles, separated by gel filtration chromatography, were studied in bile samples obtained from the gallbladder. Results: Vitamin C supplementation did not change significantly plasma lipids and bile lipid concentrations. However, in supplemented patients, significant reductions in vesicular cholesterol content (6.5 +/- 4.8% compared to 17.9 +/- 14.0% in the control group; p < 0.05) and vesicular cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (0.71 +/- 0.53 compared to 1.36 +/- 1.15 in controls; p < 0.05), were observed. Conclusions: Vitamin C administration may modify bile cholesterol crystallization process, the first step in cholesterol gallstone formation.

Más información

Título según WOS: Effects of vitamin C administration on cholesterol gallstone formation
Título de la Revista: REVISTA MEDICA DE CHILE
Volumen: 142
Número: 1
Editorial: SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 20
Página final: 26
Idioma: Spanish
Notas: ISI