THE CONCENTRATION OF TRACE-ELEMENTS AND ELECTROLYTES IN HUMAN LITHOGENIC BILE

Objectives: To study the concentration of trace elements in the human lithogenic bile from its different sources, in order to look for a pos sible role of the trace elements in the process of gallstone formation . Methods: Bile from 43 patients operated on for symptomatic gallstone s was used, because for medico-legal and ethical reasons bile from nor mal human subjects was difficult to obtain. Gallbladder bile was taken from the gallbladder; common bile duct bile was taken directly from t he common bile duct, and hepatic bile was obtained from intrahepatic b iliary radicle through a percutaneous placed catheter. After preparing the bile sample, it was analysed by inductively coupled plasma and at omic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: From the 22 elements searc hed for, only 12 could be detected. Generally, the concentration of el ements was higher in gallbladder bile, with the exception of Zn concen tration which was significantly lower (p=0.007). Conclusion: The notic ed increase of the trace element content in gallbladder bile is partia lly explained by the simple difference of concentration due to water a bsorption in the gallbladder. The exceptionally low concentration of Z n in gallbladder bile deserves more in-depth investigation as Zn can b e the protective bile solute against gallstone formation.