CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Gallstones

  • Ascorbic acid and cholesterol gallstones.

    Abstract Title:

    Ascorbic acid and cholesterol gallstones.

    Abstract Source:

    Med Hypotheses. 1993 Feb;40(2):81-4. PMID: 8455479

    Abstract Author(s):

    J A Simon

    Abstract:

    Decreased activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids, is known to result in increased biliary cholesterol concentration and supersaturation of bile. Supersaturation of bile by cholesterol is a necessary condition for cholesterol gallstone formation. In guinea pigs, the hepatic concentration of ascorbic acid affects the catabolism of cholesterol: hypovitaminosis C reduces cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Cholesterol gallstones are frequently found in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs. Risk factors for cholesterol gallstones in humans include obesity, aging, estrogen treatment, pregnancy and diabetes. Plasma ascorbic acid levels are reduced in these groups. Vegetarian diets, which typically have high ascorbic acid contents, protect against gallstones. Since ascorbic acid effects the rate-limiting step in the catabolism of cholesterol in the guinea pig and many human risk groups for cholesterol gallstones are associated with reduced ascorbic acid levels, ascorbic acid may play a contributory role in human gallbladder disease.

    Article Published Date : Feb 01, 1993

  • Influence of chronic ascorbic acid deficiency and excessive ascorbic acid intake on bile acid metabolism and bile composition in the guinea pig.

    Abstract Title:

    Influence of chronic ascorbic acid deficiency and excessive ascorbic acid intake on bile acid metabolism and bile composition in the guinea pig.

    Abstract Source:

    J Nutr. 1981 Mar;111(3):412-24. PMID: 7205399

    Abstract Author(s):

    D E Holloway, J M Rivers

    Abstract:

    The influence of chronic ascorbic acid (AA) deficiency and excessive ascorbate consumption on bile acid metabolism, liver and plasma cholesterol levels, hepatic microsomal cytochromes and biliary lipid composition was investigated. Male weanling guinea pigs were fed a cereal-based scorbutigenic diet supplemented with four levels of AA for 7 weeks: deficient, 15 and 30 mg/kg; control, 500 mg/kg; and excess, 20,000 mg/kg. Bile acid kinetic parameters were determined following the intraperitoneal administration of [24-14C] chenodeoxycholic acid. Dietary extremes of AA caused similar alterations in the parameters studied. Relative to the control group, the deficient and excess groups exhibited reduced cytochrome P-450 concentration, lower cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, lower bile acid turnover rate, prolonged bile acid half-life and increased plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations. Deficient and excess groups also exhibited lower biliary cholesterol saturation (i.e., increased bile acid-neutral sterol ratios) than controls. Urinary bile acid excretion was 2- to 3-fold higher in excess guinea pigs than in the other three groups. The data demonstrate the exceptional susceptibility of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity to alteration by dietary extremes of AA, resulting in marked inhibition of bile acid synthesis and elevation of cholesterol levels by both inadequate and excessive AA intake.

    Article Published Date : Mar 01, 1981

  • Natural history of gallstone disease: Expectant management or active treatment? Results from a population-based cohort study.

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    Abstract Title:

    Natural history of gallstone disease: Expectant management or active treatment? Results from a population-based cohort study.

    Abstract Source:

    J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Apr;25(4):719-24. PMID: 20492328

    Abstract Author(s):

    Davide Festi, Maria Letizia Bacchi Reggiani, Adolfo F Attili, Paola Loria, Paolo Pazzi, Eleonora Scaioli, Simona Capodicasa, Ferdinando Romano, Enrico Roda, Antonio Colecchia

    Article Affiliation:

    Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND AND AIMS:The knowledge of natural history is essential for disease management. We evaluated the natural history (e.g. frequency and characteristics of symptoms and clinical outcome) of gallstones (GS) in a population-based cohort study.

    METHODS:A total of 11 229 subjects (6610 men, 4619 women, age-range: 29-69 years, mean age: 48 years) were studied. At ultrasonography, GS were present in 856 subjects (338 men, 455 women) (7.1%). GS were followed by means of a questionnaire inquiring about the characteristics of specific biliary symptoms.

    RESULTS:At enrollment, 580 (73.1%) patients were asymptomatic, 94 (11.8%) had mild symptoms and 119 (15.1%) had severe symptoms. GS patients were followed up for a mean period of 8.7 years; 63 subjects (7.3%) were lost to follow up. At the end of the follow up, of the asymptomatic subjects, 453 (78.1%) remained asymptomatic; 61 (10.5%) developed mild symptoms and 66 (11.4%) developed severe symptoms. In subjects with mild symptoms, the symptoms disappeared in 55 (58.5%), became severe in 23 (24.5%), remained stable in 16 (17%); in subjects with severe symptoms, the symptoms disappeared in 62 (52.1%), became mild in 20 (16.8%) and remained stable in 37 (31.1%). A total of 189 cholecystectomies were performed: 41.3% on asymptomatic patients, 17.4% on patients with mild symptoms and 41.3% on patients with severe symptoms.

    CONCLUSIONS:This study indicates that: (i) asymptomatic and symptomatic GS patients have a benign natural history; (ii) the majority of GS patients with severe or mild symptoms will no longer experience biliary pain; and (iii) a significant proportion of cholecystectomies are performed in asymptomatic patients. Expectant management still represents a valid therapeutic approach in the majority of patients.

    Article Published Date : Apr 01, 2010

  • Recipes for a happy gallbladder

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    Recipes for a happy gallbladder image

    After years of gallbladder troubles, Juliet Sullivan devised a diet that will keep your digestion running smoothly, even after surgery.

    If you suffer from gallstones or a grumbling gallbladder as I did before I had my gallbladder out, whether you have opted for natural treatment or you are waiting for surgery, you will need to watch your diet.


    Although experts believe that a no-fat diet can be harmful, it does seem to be universally accepted that cutting down on fat intake reduces the likelihood of a gallstone attack, as, without fat, the gallbladder will not be stimulated to release bile into the small intestine.


    The gallbladder collects and stores bile, made by the liver as a result of its many detoxification processes. It then releases the bile into the small intestine when food enters from the stomach.


    This helps with the digestion of food because the gallbladder contains bile salts and other substances that neutralize the acidic contents of the stomach as they arrive in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and emulsify and break down fat.

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