Correlation Between Blood Levels of Cysteine Protease Caspase-1 (Casp1) and Pain Scores (NRS) Post-surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study of Patients With Cholelithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Cysteine protease caspase-1 (Casp1) plays a crucial role in the conversion of pro-cytokines to active cytokines (CYTs). The purpose of this work was to determine Casp1 blood levels in a cohort of 114 cholecystectomy patients and assess their association with other CYTs and numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperatively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood levels of Casp1 and seven CYTs (IL-18, IL-18BP, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-8) were measured at three time points; before operation, immediately after operation, and six hours after operation in 114 patients with cholelithiasis (Chole).

RESULTS

Casp1 blood levels correlated with NRS pain scores at 24 h following surgery (p=0.016). In addition, Casp1 blood levels correlated significantly to IL-18 blood levels (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This is the first report to evaluate Casp1 blood levels in Chole patients in correlation with other CYTs. The findings confirm a significant correlation between Casp1 blood levels and NRS pain scores. Moreover, this study provides initial evidence suggesting that inhibition of the activity of Casp1 may reduce postsurgical acute phase immune response possibly through the Casp1/pro-Il-18 pathway.

TyG index is positively associated with HOMA-IR in cholelithiasis patients with insulin resistance: Based on a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Cholelithiasis is a common disease but pose significant global health and financial burdens. Mechanisms of the disease are associated with insulin resistance (IR), obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is commonly observed in cholelithiasis patients. More recently, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as an alternative marker of insulin resistance. In our study we aimed to understand whether the TyG index is correlated with HOMA-IR in cholelithiasis patients. And also we aimed the predict a cutoff value for determining insulin resistance in cholelithiasis patients.

METHODS

A total of 184 cholelithiasis patients were matched in terms of age, gender, and BMI. They were divided into two groups based on their Homa IR levels (IR and Non-IR group). This study was a retrospective, observational study and clinical data was obtained from electronic medical records. Cutoff value for Tyg index was established through ROC Analysis. Binary Logistic Regression was used to identify factors affecting insulin resistance.

RESULTS

A significant cutoff value was found for the TyG index in determining the presence of insulin resistance. Having a TyG index of ≥8.71 indicates the presence of insulin resistance. The sensitivity was 68.48%, the specificity was 58.70%. Binary Logistic Regression analyses showed that an increase in Tyg Index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio values increases the risk of insulin resistance by 2.705 (p = 0.001), 1.032 (p = 0.029), and 334.057 (p = 0.012) times respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that TyG index is positively correlated with HOMA-IR. TyG index was found as a risk factor for insulin resistance.

Associations between serum leptin levels, hyperlipidemia, and cholelithiasis in dogs

Leptin and its receptor play several physiological roles in the canine gallbladder, and the dysregulation of leptin might play a role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases such as gallbladder mucocele. Previous studies revealed a positive association between hyperlipidemia and gallstones in humans. However, the latter is still unclear in dogs with cholelithiasis. In this study, we examined the differences in leptin, leptin receptor, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels between healthy dogs and dogs with cholelithiasis, and evaluated the correlation between leptin and hyperlipidemia. Twenty-eight healthy dogs and 34 client-owned dogs with cholelithiasis were enrolled in the study. Leptin concentrations and lipid profiles were determined from sera, and leptin and leptin receptor expression levels were quantified in gallbladder tissue. In dogs with cholelithiasis, serum concentrations of leptin (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and triglycerides (p < 0.001) were significantly higher compared with those in healthy dogs. Positive correlations were observed between serum leptin and total cholesterol (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61–0.89, r = 0.725, p < 0.001), and between leptin and triglycerides (95% CI = 0.63–0.89, r = 0.782, p < 0.001) in the cholelithiasis group. Hypercholesterolemia (Odds Ratio (OR) = 9.720; 95% CI = 1.148–82.318) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 12.913; 95% CI = 1.548–107.722) were shown to be risk factors for gallstone disease. In cholelithiasis patients who underwent cholecystectomy, serum leptin levels were significantly higher than in patients that had not undergone surgery (p < 0.001). Leptin and leptin receptor expression was upregulated in the gallbladder tissues of cholelithiasis patients (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). These results indicate that increased serum leptin concentrations and hyperlipidemia (hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia) are associated with canine cholelithiasis and that homeostatic imbalance of these parameters might affect the pathogenesis of gallstones.

The effect of UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism in the development of hyperbilirubinemia and cholelithiasis in hemoglobinopathy patients

Present study was aimed to explore the effect of (TA)n UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism on bilirubin metabolism, bilirubinaemia, predisposition to cholelithiasis and subsequent cholecystectomy, in Sickle-Cell Anemia (SCA) and beta-Thalasemia major (bTH) in Kuwaiti subjects compared to other population. This polymorphism was analyzed and correlated to total bilirubin and cholelithiasis in 270 age, gender, ethnically matched subjects (92 bTH, 116 SCA and 62 Controls) using PCR, dHPLC, fragment analysis and direct sequencing. Four genotypes of UGT1A1 were detected in this study (TA6/6, TA6/7, TA6/8 and TA7/7). (TA)6/8 was found only in four individuals; hence it was not included in the analysis. There was a statistically significant association of genotypes with serum total bilirubin levels in both bTH and SCA groups (p<0.001). Subjects with (TA)7/7 had the highest total serum bilirubin level (178.7 ± 3.5 µmole/l). A significant association was observed between allele (TA)7 and cholelithiasis development (p = 0.0001). The 40%, 67.5% and 100% of SCA with (TA)6/6, (TA)6/7 and (TA)7/7 respectively developed cholelithiasis and were subsequently cholecystectomized. Our results confirm UGT1A1 (TA)7 allele as one of the factors accounting for the hyperbilirubinemia and cholelithiasis observed in SCA and bTH.

Evaluation of leptin and insulin resistance in patients with cholelithiasis

The association between insulin resistance, lipoproteins and leptin was evaluated in cholelithiasis. The study group included 55 women (68.8%) and 25 men (31.3%) with a mean age and SD of 50.56 +/- 14.28 yrs. The control group included 25 women (62.5%) and 15 men (37.5%) with a mean age of 50.93 +/- 11.73 yrs. Serum leptin levels were measured by the enzyme immunoassay method. HOMA-IR was determined by using fasting glucose and insulin levels. Insulin, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HOMA-IR (p < 0.01) and leptin (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the cholelithiasis group, compared to the controls. In patients with a HOMA-IR >2.2, age, body mass index (BMI), glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), TC and leptin levels were higher than in patients with a HOMA-IR < 2.2. In patients with glucose levels >100 mg/dl, mean BMI, HOMA-IR, insulin, TG, TC and leptin levels were significantly higher than in patients with glucose levels <100 mg/dl. In patients with TG levels >150 mg/dl, mean age, BMI, glucose, insulin, TC, leptin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher than in patients with TG levels < 150 mg/dl. In patients with BMI > 25 kg/m2, mean age, glucose, insulin, TG, TC, leptin, HOMA-IR were significantly higher than in patients with BMI < 25. In cholelithiasis group, there was a positive correlation between leptin and age, BMI, glucose, insulin, TG, TC, LDL-C or HOMA-IR. In conclusion, we found a positive association between increased leptin levels and abnormal lipoprotein metabolism in cholelithiasis. Cholelithiasis subjects with insulin resistance showed higher cardiometabolic risk factors than those without it.

[Effect of antihypoxant infusion on microbial endotoxin circulation in obstructive jaundice patients]

The dynamics of microbial endotoxemia in group of 149 patients with cholelithiasis complicated by obstructive jaundice has been studied as dependent on the perioperative tactics of infusion therapy. The perioperative period in obstructive jaundice patients is complicated by a significant increase in lipopolysaccharidemia caused by translocation mechanisms and disorders of the liver detoxification function. In Group 1, 47 patients received infusion therapy including Ringer's solution and 10% glucose solution at a 1:1 ratio. In group 2, 55 patients received infusion therapy with only Sterofundin G-5 solution. In Group 3, 47 patients received the infusion therapy with remaxol in a dose of 800 ml/day. It is established that the infusion of Sterofundin G-5, and to a greater extent the infusion of remaxol, reduces the early postoperative degree of decompensation and accelerates recovery of the detoxifying function of Kupffer cells with respect to microbial endotoxin.

Analysis of serum lipid profile in cholelithiasis patients

BACKGROUND

Gallstone diseases being common disorder, multiple studies have shown an association between gallstones and abnormal lipids. This study is to compare the serum lipid abnormalities in females who have cholelithiasis with controls.

METHODS

A retrospective study of females who underwent cholecystectomy for gallstone disease was carried out. A total of 133 patients were divided into two age groups ≤ 40 and >40 years. In age group ≤ 40 years, there were 72 cases with no controls, whereas, in >40 years, 61 cases were compared with 67 controls. The serum lipid profile were collected and compared according to the age groups. The groups were compared by using Student's t-test, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In age group >40 years serum LDL of gallstone patients were statistically significantly raised (P<0.05) (95% CI -22.077; -850) compared with controls and serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were not statistically significantly high (P >0.05). Serum HDL and VLDL were lower in gallstone patients but not statistically significant (P >0.05) compared to control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that serum LDL level was statistically significant in females >40 years of age, whereas other parameters were not statistically significantly different.

A genome-wide association study of total bilirubin and cholelithiasis risk in sickle cell anemia

Serum bilirubin levels have been associated with polymorphisms in the UGT1A1 promoter in normal populations and in patients with hemolytic anemias, including sickle cell anemia. When hemolysis occurs circulating heme increases, leading to elevated bilirubin levels and an increased incidence of cholelithiasis. We performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) of bilirubin levels and cholelithiasis risk in a discovery cohort of 1,117 sickle cell anemia patients. We found 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with total bilirubin levels at the genome-wide significance level (p value <5 × 10(-8)). SNPs in UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, UGT1A8 and UGT1A10, different isoforms within the UGT1A locus, were identified (most significant rs887829, p = 9.08 × 10(-25)). All of these associations were validated in 4 independent sets of sickle cell anemia patients. We tested the association of the 15 SNPs with cholelithiasis in the discovery cohort and found a significant association (most significant p value 1.15 × 10(-4)). These results confirm that the UGT1A region is the major regulator of bilirubin metabolism in African Americans with sickle cell anemia, similar to what is observed in other ethnicities.

[Wether cholescystectomy affects bile lithogenicity in cholelithiasis]

THE AIM

The studying of physical-chemical qualities of liver bile and lipid exchange before and after cholecystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We spent the complex investigation of physical-chemical qualities of bile and lipid levels in 210 patients with cholelithiasis stage I (pre-stone) and in 90 patients with cholelithiasis stage II and III (with gallstones) after cholecystectomy.

THE RESULTS

In all examined patients we revealed disturbances of physical-chemical qualities of bile and lipid exchange. With correlation analysis it was found that bile lithogenity increases in high bile density, in progressing of inflammation process in bile ducts, in increasing of aterogene fractions of blood cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

After cholecystectomy in liver-cells dyscholia the ability to stones formation preserves. It means that patients after cholecystectomy need in following-up with using of prophylactic measures to restoring of bile-formation.

[Factors affecting contractile function of the gall blader in patients with cholelithiasis]

In article the data on interrelation between gallbladder contractility and a level of hormones of a thyroid gland (threeiodethyronine, thyroxine, thyrotropin hormone (TTH) and antibodies to thyreoperoxidase (AT to TPO)) in plasma of blood at 470 healthy persons and 540 patients with gallstone disease are submitted. The contractility function of a gallbladder on ultrasonic at persons with gallstone disease is authentic less, than at healthy persons. Dysfunction of a thyroid gland is found out in women with gallstone disease: increase TTH and AT to TPO. Among men hormonal shifts are not revealed. Contact chemical litholysis with methyl tert butyl ether of cholesterol stones in gallbladder except for their dissolution, improves its contractility activity.

[The role of metabolism disorders in genesis of gallstone disease in children]

Identified changes lipid metabolism in children with biliary disease, characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. The correlation between indices of lipid metabolism with body weight in children with cholelithiasis. However, the degree of impairment of carbohydrate metabolism was independent of body mass index. Obtained data allow us to state that obesity is not always a marker of the metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of primary octreotide-lar and surgical treatment in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Oct-LAR and surgery in terms of controlling IGF-1 and GH levels and tumour volumes. The second aim was to compare two primary treatment modalities in terms of side effects such as pituitary insufficiency, cholelithiasis, metabolic parameters and the effect on quality of life (QoL).

DESIGN

The study was a randomized, prospective study.

PATIENTS

The 22 patients were consecutively randomized to Oct-LAR and surgical treatment groups.

RESULTS

Baseline serum IGF-1 level, tumour volume and GH levels were comparable in the Oct-LAR and surgery groups. No significant differences were detected between the Oct-LAR and the surgery groups in terms of IGF-1 and GH levels at the 3rd and 6th months, but at 12th month, preglucose GH was found to be lower in the surgical treatment group. IGF-1 control and complete biochemical response rates were found to be 27% and 64%, in the Oct-LAR and surgical treatment groups, respectively. The mean percentage of tumour volume reduction was found to be 26%, 30% and 31% in the Oct-LAR group vs 64%, 74% and 79% in the surgery group at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Primary surgical treatment seems to be slightly more effective than Oct-LAR in terms of biochemical response and IGF-1 control, besides tumour volume reduction, in patients with acromegaly with noninvasive tumours. Oct-LAR is associated with more side effects such as cholelithiasis and glucose metabolism disorders and is more expensive.

[Surgical strategy for the treatment of complicated cholelithiasis in elderly and senile patients]

The author summarizes results of the treatment of 140 elderly and senile patients with complicated cholelithiasis divided into 2 groups using scales for the assessment of their clinical condition and prognosis of treatment outcome. Patients of groups 1 and 2 were given single- and multistep treatment respectively. It is concluded that differential approach to the treatment of complicated forms of cholelithiasis in elderly and senile patients permits not only to evaluate their condition but also to use the least invasive procedures for resolution of the biliary obstruction and thereby to reduce the risk of complications and fatal outcome.

Pathophysiological conditions in cholelithiasis formation in North Indian population: spectroscopic, biophysical, and biochemical study

Knowledge of the chemical, structural, and elemental composition of gallstones is essential for etiopathogenesis of gallstone disease. To identify the predisposing factors for gallstone formation, X-ray diffraction powder analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and various biochemical estimations were carried out. In the present study, trace elemental analysis revealed calcium as the major constituent element in addition to the iron, magnesium, and zinc in the majority of the gallstones. Patients with gallstones exhibited increased serum total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels and liver function parameters (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase). In patients with gallstones, higher concentrations of malondialdehyde, significantly higher glutathione disulfide/glutathione (GSH) ratio, reduced total GSH levels, and significantly decreased antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) were found than in patients without gallstones. Further studies are needed to establish whether the observed differences are a cause or an effect of gallstone formation. Such studies could ultimately result in the development of new strategies for the treatment of gallstones and might provide clues for prevention of gallstones formation.

[Role of hyperlipidemia in cholelithiasis]

THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Was analyzed basic data on the contribution of blood serum lipids in the development of gallstone disease (GSD) in the world as well as in northern Russia, as well as the association of cholelithiasis and coronary heart disease (CHD).

RECENT LITERATURE DATA

Worldwide, there is suffer from cholelithiasis 10 to 15% of the population. In Russia, about 60% of adults have a lipid metabolism. According to some epidemiological and clinical studies, serum lipid profile did not differ in patients with and without gallstone disease, in others with cholelithiasis observed hyperlipidemia. In an epidemiological study in the unorganized population of Novosibirsk cholelithiasis occurs more frequently among men and women with lipid disorders. Indigenous peoples of the North Asian Russia this disease is less common than among the aliens, which was accompanied by a more moderate hyperlipidemia. There was a positive association between gallstone disease and coronary heart disease. Despite the fact that hypertriglyceridemia and hypo by a majority of authors are recognized risk factors for gallstone disease, a consensus on the contribution of blood serum lipids in the pathogenesis of gallstone no. Since gallstone mostly composed of cholesterol, probably need to examine the level of serum lipids in a moment of gallstones after this time can be obscured link hyperlipidemia and holelitgenesis.

[Possibility of correction of the lipid disorders in patients with cholelithiasis and gallbladder cholesterosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possibility of incorporating organic drugs Hepatosan and Entherosan in the complex therapy of patients with gallstone disease and gall bladder cholesterosis (reticulated polypus form) on the basis of literature data and own research.

RESULTS

It has been found that the physiological effect of drugs Entherosan and Hepatosan is directed on the improvement cavity and wall digestion processes, that leads to the reduction (disappearance) of dyspeptic symptoms (eliminating discomfort in the epigastrium, bloating, diarrhea) in most of the patients. The main features of Entherosan are: normalization of gastro-intestinal tract motor activity, intestinal microflora, enteroprotective effect of the drug and its influence on intestinal and cellular pools of cholesterol that leads to the activation of cavitary and parietal digestion. The essential point of Hepatosan is to stimulate 7alpha-hydroxylase, resulting in strengthening of cholesterol oxidation and to an increase the pool of LCD in enterohepatic circulation. This factor, coupled with hepatoprotective action of the drug, ensures the deletion of biliary insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of drugs Entherosan and Hepatosan in the complex conservative therapy of cholelithiasis and reticulated polypus forms of gall bladder cholesterosis is pathogenetically substantiated.

[Changes in concentration of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin in patients with cholelithiasis before and after cholecystectomy]

The level of cholecystokinin and secretin in 50 patients after cholecystectomy (from 1 to 10 years ago) was analyzed to study connection between cholecystectomy and gastrointestinal hormones concentration. 30 patients with gall bladder stone disease were included into the group of comparison. Cholecystokinin and secretin concentration in the groups of research was compared with indicated hormones concentration in the group of control formed of healthy volunteers. After anamnestical clinical and diagnostical features in every group had been studied we concluded, that cholecystokinin level changes depending on period after operation and outflow of bile conditions.

Gallstones and biliary sludge in Greek patients with complete high spinal cord injury: an ultrasonographical evaluation

INTRODUCTION

We used ultrasonography to detect the presence of biliary sludge or gallstones in Greek patients with complete high spinal cord injury (SCI) above the seventh thoracic segment (T7), within the first six months from injury onset, in order to evaluate the effects of neurological instability and dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) on the gallbladder function in the early post-SCI phase.

METHODS

We evaluated 78 asymptomatic patients (57 males, 21 females; mean age 34.8 (range 19-56) years) with complete high SCI located above the T7 segment, and 78 healthy subjects (59 males, 19 females; mean age 35.2 (range 21-59) years) matched for age, gender and race, for a total period of 39 months. All the participants underwent ultrasonographical examination of the gallbladder and common bile duct within the first six months from the injury, in order to investigate the development of biliary sludge and gallstones.

RESULTS

The incidence of biliary sludge was significantly higher in patients with SCI compared with the control group. The incidence of biliary sludge and gallstones was also significantly higher in patients with SCI patients in comparison with the healthy subjects. In male SCI patients, the incidence of biliary sludge was significantly increased in comparison with healthy subjects. No significant difference was revealed between the two groups in detection of gallstones.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that the detection of gallbladder sludge and gallstones are significantly higher in Greek patients with complete high SCI above the T7 segment, as compared with healthy control subjects within the first six months of the injury onset. The complete disruption of the SNS and the neurological instability in the early post-SCI phase is probably responsible for the biliary sludge and gallstone formation. Our results suggest that ultrasonography should be performed in these patients at the first 3-6 months from the injury for the early diagnosis of the lithogenic bile.

[Lipoprotein(a)--a new independent cholelithiasis risk factor?]

AIM

To study the level of lipoprotein(a)--Lp(a) in the blood serum and incidence of isoforms of apolipoprotein(a)--apo(a) in males and females with cholelithiasis and free of it in population of Novosibirsk; to assess possible correlations between Lp(a) level in the blood, apo(a) isoforms and bile lithogenicity in females with cholesterol cholelithiasis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Examination of the representative samples of 870 females aged 25-64 years and 405 males aged 35-54 years has detected cholelithiasis in 91 females and 19 males.

RESULTS

Serum levels of Lp(a) are associated with cholelithiasis. Risk of the latter in males (Lp(a) > 28 mg/dl) and females (Lp(a) > 24 mg/dl) is estimated. It is confirmed that isoforms of apo(a) B, S1 and S2 in females and isoforms of apo(a) B, S2 in males with cholelithiasis occur much more frequently than in individuals free of cholelithiasis while isoform apo(a) S4 is rare. Females with cholesterol cholelithiasis have positive correlation between blood Lp(a) levels, the presence of isoforms apo(a) B, S1 and bile lithogenicity.

CONCLUSION

Males and females with cholelithiasis have more frequent high concentrations of Lp(a) (> 30 mg.dl) while low levels (0-5 mg/dl) are rare. There is a correlation between blood levels of Lp(a), apo(a) isoforms, bile lithogenicity in females with cholesterol cholelithiasis.

[Comparative assessment of bile and blood cholesterol, pigment, and protein metabolic parameters in patients with cholelithiasis in the presence and absence of opisthorchiasis]

AIM

to study the regularities of lithogenesis in patients with cholelithiasis (CL) and opisthorchiasis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Fifty-one patients with CL and opisthorchiasis were examined. Comparison groups comprised 32 with CL without opisthorchiasis and 14 patients with opisthorchiasis without CL. All the patients underwent a comprehensive examination involving laboratory and ultrasound studies.

RESULTS

Opisthorchis invasion leads to increases in vesicular and hepatic bile cholesterol saturation and bile albumin levels due to intrahepatic ductal cholestasis, to a rise in bile unconjugated bilirubin concentration, which is caused by the activation of proliferative inflammation in the bile ducts and by the increased deposits of bilirubin complexes resulting from higher bile globulin levels.

CONCLUSION

In opisthorchiasis, bile lithogenic factors mostly activate in the development of CH in patients with significant manifestations of cholestasis, angiocholitis with the most preserved concentration function of the gallbladder.

[Serum fatty acid and lipid spectrum in patients with cholelithiasis]

Caucasoids and mongoloids from different regions of Siberia were examined for the prevalence of cholelithiasis, serum lipid and fatty acid profiles. In Caucasoids, unlike Mongoloids, cholelithiasis was associated with increased serum cholesterol. This finding suggests that relative stability of lipid metabolism in Mongoloids protects them from biliary pathology. It was shown for the first time that elevated levels of saturated fatty acids and depletion of unsaturated fatty acids in the sera are a universal feature of disturbed lipid metabolism in patients with cholelithiasis in genetically different populations.

[Antioxidative defense parameters in acute and chronic cholecystitis]

A hundred and fifty-two patients cholelithiasis were examined. Among them, 69 and 83 patients were operated on for acute destructive and chronic cholecystitis, respectively. In destructive cholecystitis, there is a high lipid oxidation rate accompanied by the elevated levels of nonenzymatic antioxidant ceruloplasmin. The low activity of catalase and ceruloplasmin and the decreased content of ascorbic acid suggest the depletion of antioxidative defense in patients with cholelithiasis with significant liver disease. The magnitude of changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes and the level of the nonenzymatic antioxidant ascorbic acid depend on the state of the liver.

[Predictive factors for cholelithiasis in the morbidly obese submitted to Roux-en-Y gastroplasty]

OBJECTIVE

This study intended to evaluate predictive factors for cholelithiasis in morbidly obese submitted to gastroplasty with "Y" de Roux reconstruction.

METHODS

The population under study was a group of obese patients enrolled in a program of surgical procedure for morbid obesity at the Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo. The exclusion criteria were: patients previously cholecystectomized, patients with diagnosis of pre-operative cholelithiasis and patients with a questionable ultrasonography about existence of billiary stones. A total of 160 patients were operated, 29 with prior cholecystectomy, 23 with pre-operative biliar lithiasis , 5 with questionable ultrasonography about billiary stones and 103 with normal gallbladders at abdominal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Results showed that (46.6%) of patients developed cholelithiasis, 22 of them symptomatic. When patients with or without cholelithiasis were compared, no significant difference related to age, gender and preoperative weight was observed. The body mass index, the triglycerides serum levels, total cholesterol and the fractions HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in the group who developed cholelithiasis compared to patients without gallstones and this difference was statistically significant. The percentage of weight loss in the 6th and 12th postoperative month was significantly higher in patients who developed billiary stones.

CONCLUSION

The study leads to conclude that body mass index, levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and the fractions LDL and VLDL are predictive factors for cholelithiasis post-gastroplasty with the "Y" de Roux reconstruction.