Semiquantitative analysis of conjugated bilirubin (CB) in gallbladder bile was done by diazotization after Van Roy & Heirwegh's method and separation using thin-layer chromatography, in order to clear the role of conjugated bilirubin in bile of cholesterol gallstone cases, especially in mixed stone cases.
Gallbladder bile was analysed in three groups, control (C) group, pure cholesterol stone (P-C) group, and mixed stone (M-S) group.
Each proportion of azopigment in C-group was 13.7±1.2 (M±SE; %), 1.9±0.3, 4.9± 0.4, trace, 18.6±0.9, 60.9±1.9 in α
0, α
2, α
3, β, γ, and δ fraction, respectively. In M-S group, there was a significant decrease (P<0.001) in proportion of δ fraction as compared with C-group. However, in P-C group, the proportion of azopigment showed approximately as same pattern as in C group. On the other hand, only in M-S group, there was significant negative correlation (P<
0.01) between lithogenic index (L.I.) and α
0/δ ratio (α0 is the most hydrophobic azopigment, and δ, the most hydrophilic one, therefore the increase of α
0/δ ratio may show the increase of the hydrophobic tendency of CB in bile).
It was deduced that, in the cases of lower L.I., stone formation needed the increase of the hydrophobic tendency of CB in bile, especially in mixed stone cases.
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