7. Regional differences in gall bladder bile acid composition in patients with gallstones

Abstract

Background and Aims: Chemical and structural analysis of gallstones from the Indian subcontinent has shown that the formation of gallstone type is dependent on the regional and dietary factors. We aim to determine the various bile acids and their salts in patients with gallstones from south and north India using High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. Methods: A standards set of results of primary, secondary and conjugated bile acids were prepared and concentrations were determined by reversed-phase C 18 HPLC column, running acetate buffer and methanol (30:70). The flow rate was fixed as 1 mL/mol and detection was performed at 205 nm. 33 south Indian affected bile acids and 28 north Indian bile acids were taken for the present study. Results: Twenty eight bile samples from patients with gall stones belonging to North India (72% cholesterol, 24% mixed, 4% pigment) and 33 bile samples from south India (53% pigemnt, 45% mixed and 2% cholesterol) were analysed. Among the primary bile acids, the concentration of taurocholic acid was signifiantly high in bile samples from North India. Among the secondary bile acids, the concentration of deoxycholic and taurolithocholic acid from south India and lithocholic acid from north India was significantly high. Conclusions: The type and concentration of bile acids and their salts differs in north and south Indian bile. The authors have none to declare.