Abstract
Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol microcrystals 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. To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. 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. 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. Vitamin C administration may modify bile cholesterol crystallization process, the first step in cholesterol gallstone formation.
Highlights
Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles
In experimental animals vitamin C deficiency leads to a super-saturation of biliary cholesterol and to the formation of gallstones
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
Summary
Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol microcrystals are derived from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. Aim: To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. Cuando contienen una elevada razón colesterol/fosfolípidos (Col/Fos) se agregan y fusionan en la bilis, iniciando el proceso de cristalización y precipitación de colesterol[13]. El suministro oral de vitamina C a pacientes con cálculos biliares de colesterol, no alteró los niveles séricos de lípidos ni la concentración y saturación del colesterol biliar; sólo se apreció una prolongación del tiempo de cristalización[21]. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la relación entre la ingesta de vitamina C y los lípidos biliares constituyentes de vesículas y micelas, de pacientes con cálculos biliares de colesterol en la región del Bío-Bío (Chile)
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