Concanavalin-A-Extractable Non-Mucous Glycoprotein Concentrations in Gallbladder Bile of Cholesterol Gallstone Patients

Abstract

Berghold J, Swobodnik W, Wenk H, Classen M. Concanavalin-A-extractable non-mucous glycoprotein concentrations in gallbladder bile of cholesterol gallstone patients. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29: 1135-1139.

Background: The relationship between protein concentrations and the nucleation activity of bile in cholesterol gallstone patients has already been investigated. Nucleation promotors are mucins and concanavalin A (Con-A)-extractable glycoproteins. Nucleation inhibitors are apolipoproteins. We wanted to investigate whether a change in concentration of apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) or Con-A in the bile of cholesterol stone carriers is dependent on the nucleation time.

Methods: Total protein was measured by fluorescence photometry, and Con-A-extractable glycoproteins were separated by their affinity to lectins and measured by photometry. Apolipoproteins were measured by radioactive competitive protein binding assay.

Results: The protein concentrations in our bile samples were 2.41 ± 1.08 mg/ml for the whole group, 2.73 ± 1.07 mg/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days, and 2.04 ± 1.00 for a longer nucleation time. The concentration of the Con-A fraction accounted for 0.289 ± 0.096 mg/ml, 0.306 ± 0.081 mg/ml, and 0.274 ± 0.109, respectively. The Apo A-I concentration was 52 ± 64 μg/ml; 50 ± 56 μg/ml for a nucleation time less than 3 days and 85 ± 133 μg/ml for a longer nucleation time.

Conclusions: Obviously, individual protein fractions have an effect on the nucleation behaviour of gallbladder bile in cholesterol gallstone patients.

Key Words:

• Apolipoprotein A-I
• bile
• biliary protein concentration
• concanavalin-A-bound non-mucous glycoprotein