Abstract
We tested methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in vitro to evaluate its efficacy as a potential enhancer of calcium chelating of calcium bilirubinate gallstones with tetrasodium salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA 4 Na). Regarding to the dissolution of the gallstone slices, the pretreatment of MTBE for only 10 seconds enhanced the calcium chelating with 1% EDTA 4 Na solution, dissolving cholesterol of the stone, which was shown by polarizing microscopy. The calcium bilirubinate gallstones treated with MTBE were dissolved and reached 43.96 + 13.27% of their original weight after 1% EDTA 4 Na treatment for 72hours, while those not treated with MTBE reached 76.87 + 14.45% of their original weight. The results suggest that the pretreatment of the calcium bilirubinate gallstones with MTBE is of great advantage in the dissolution of the gallstones with EDTA 4 Na.
