An update on the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease

Agostino Di Ciaula, David Q.H. Wang, Piero Portincasa

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

115 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review Gallstone disease is a major epidemiologic and economic burden worldwide, and the most frequent form is cholesterol gallstone disease. Recent findings Major pathogenetic factors for cholesterol gallstones include a genetic background, hepatic hypersecretion of cholesterol, and supersaturated bile which give life to precipitating cholesterol crystals that accumulate and grow in a sluggish gallbladder. Additional factors include mucin and inflammatory changes in the gallbladder, slow intestinal motility, increased intestinal absorption of cholesterol, and altered gut microbiota. Mechanisms of disease are linked with insulin resistance, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. The role of nuclear receptors, signaling pathways, gut microbiota, and epigenome are being actively investigated. Summary Ongoing research on cholesterol gallstone disease is intensively investigating several pathogenic mechanisms, associated metabolic disorders, new therapeutic approaches, and novel strategies for primary prevention, including lifestyles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-80
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Opinion in Gastroenterology
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2018

Keywords

  • cholesterol crystallization
  • gallbladder
  • mucin gel
  • supersaturated bile

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

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