title: Pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of cholelithiasis.
abstract: Several factors are involved in the development of gallstone formation: formation of supersaturated bile; nucleation; formation, retention and adhesion of cholesterol crystals and eventually stone growth. The dynamics of the gallbladder may play a key role in the overall process. The pathophysiologic theory of cholesterol gallstone formation and the knowledge of their physico-chemical properties support the modern concept of gallstone therapy. Chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic have been widely used as cholesterol gallstone dissolving agents and evaluated in terms of efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Università di Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aldini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bazzoli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Festi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzella
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roda
mesh_terms: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D012449:Safety; D012995:Solubility; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid