A NOVEL 5-LIPOXYGENASE INHIBITOR PREVENTS GALLSTONE FORMATION IN A LITHOGENIC PRAIRIE DOG-MODEL

Gallstone formation is dependent on biliary cholesterol supersaturatio n, the pronucleating effects of gallbladder mucin, and inflammation. W e evaluated the effect of aspirin (ASA) and a 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitor (FLAPI) on cholesterol precipitation and leukotriene levels in an ani mal model of cholesterol gallstone formation. Male prairie dogs were d ivided into four dietary groups: normal chow controls, 1.2 per cent ch olesterol (XOL), 1.2 per cent cholesterol plus ASA (XOL + ASA, 100 mg/ kg/d), and cholesterol plus FLAPI (XOL + FLAPI, 100 mg/kg/12h). At 3 w eeks the subjects were anesthetized, cholecystectomy performed, and th e common duct cannulated for bile sampling. Cholesterol precipitation, lithogenic indices, and leukotriene content were analyzed. The group XOL + FLAPI did not form cholesterol crystals, whereas the group XOL ASA did (P < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). All cholesterol-fed groups h ad significantly increased lithogenic indices when compared to control s. The XOL + FLAPI group showed a significant and paradoxical increase in LTB4 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05, ANOVA, Fisher's PLSD) . This study has shown a significant decrease in the rate of cholester ol stone formation through the use of a novel leukotriene inhibitor at high doses, despite a high cholesterol diet.