In vitro studies of gallstone dissolution using the scanning electron microscope.
Scanning electron microscope studies on cholesterol gallstones, which had been subjected to, but had not been completely dissolved by, chenodeoxycholate and deoxycholate salts, have indicated the presence of an insoluble organic matrix, probably a mucopolysaccharide. Solution of a gallstone in vitro is enhanced by the addition of heparin which dissolved this matrix, thus allowing complete dissolution of cholesterol in a gallstone.
D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
D003840:Deoxycholic Acid; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid; D006493:Heparin; D002784:Cholesterol