Biliary lipid peroxidation products in gallbladder cancer: increased peroxidation or biliary stasis?

Gallbladder cancer is a common malignancy among women in India. The aetiolo gy of gallbladder carcinoma is still obscure and although numerous factors have been implicated, none has stood the test of time. This study was carri ed out to evaluate the role of lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) in gallbladder carcinogenesis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was carried out in 30 bile samples obtained during laparot omy from patients with gallbladder cancer (n = 10), cholelithiasis (n = 10) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 10). A significantly high concentra tion of HNE and lower concentration of biliary pH and electrolyte was obser ved in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder compared with controls an d patients with cholelithiasis, A significant correlation was also observed between biliary Na+ and K+ (r = 0.72), biliary Ca2+ and Na+ (r = 0.69) amo ng controls. However, there was no correlation between HNE, electrolytes an d pH among cancer patients. An increased concentration of biliary HNE and d ecreased concentration of electrolytes suggest biliary stasis rather then i ncreased peroxidation in cancer patients. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins.