EPITHELIAL-CELL PROLIFERATION IN THE POST-LITHOTRIPSY HUMAN GALLBLADDER

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, which indicates the pro portion of cells in the proliferation cycle, was studied in epithelial nuclei of < 48 hours and > 6 months piezoelectric lithotripsy treated gallbladders. For control groups we chose those showing acute-on-chro nic cholecystitis for the < 48 hours cases, and those with chronic cho lecystitis for the > 6 months cases. Percentage of epithelial nuclear proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in the < 48 hours and > 6 months cases was not significantly different from that in their resp ective control groups. Acute on chronic cholecystitis showed higher pe rcentage staining than chronic cholecystitis (P < 0.05), but percentag e staining after recent lithotripsy (< 48 hours) was not significantly higher than after less recent (> 6 months) lithotripsy. Lithotripsy c auses no significant long-term increase in gallbladder epithelial cell proliferation. This is a reassuring finding in view of the known role of continuing cell proliferation as a promoter in carcinogenesis.