NUCLEATION OF BILIARY CHOLESTEROL, ARACHIDONATE, PROSTAGLANDIN E(2), AND GLYCOPROTEINS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Background & Aims: Among dieting obese patients, cholesterol gallstone formation is preceded by increases in levels of biliary cholesterol s aturation, arachidonate, prostaglandin E(2), total glycoproteins, and rapid nucleation of cholesterol. The aim of this study was to determin e if similar increases occur among postmenopausal women with cholester ol crystals in their bile. Methods: In 101 postmenopausal women withou t gallstones, gallbladder bile was sampled via nasoduodenal tube and a nalyzed. Results: Nineteen of the women had saturated bile and crystal s. Levels of cholesterol saturation, arachidonate, prostaglandin E(2), and total glycoprotein were highest among women with cholesterol-satu rated bile and cholesterol crystals and lowest among women with unsatu rated bile. Levels were intermediate among women with saturated bile b ut no crystals. Conclusions: Among postmenopausal women, increases in levels of biliary cholesterol saturation, arachidonate, prostaglandin E(2), and total glycoproteins may be important pathophysiologically in the vapid nucleation of cholesterol crystals.