Lysolecithin and Lecithin in the Gallbladder Wall and Bile; Their Possible Roles in the Pathogenesis of Acute Cholecystitis

Abstract

Sjödahl, R. & Wetterfors, J. Lysolecithin and lecithin in the gallbladder wall and bile; their possible roles in the pathogenesis of acute cholecystitis. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 519–525.

In 28 patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis who underwent cholecystectomy, the lysolecithin and lecithin contents of gallbladder bile and wall were analysed. In the acute cases a percentage composition, with an increase of lysolecithin, and a decrease of lecithin was found. The same composition was found in cases with subacute cholecystitis. A characteristic of these was that the gallbladder contained discoloured bile. The total amount of phospholipids was considerably lower in these two groups than in controls and chronic cholecystitis with normally coloured bile. In absolute terms lysolecithin is rarely increased but lecithin very much decreased in gallbladder bile. This supports the postulation that lysolecithin is locally formed from lecithin. Lysolecithin is not accumulated in the gallbladder wall. Some possible factors which may protect the gallbladder from being acutely inflamed under normal conditions are discussed.

Keywords::

• Bilirubin
• cholecystitis, gallbladder bile
• gallbladder wall
• lecithin
• lysolecithin