Pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of cholelithiasis.
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.
Roda
E
E
Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Università di Bologna, Italy.
Aldini
R
R
Bazzoli
F
F
Festi
D
D
Mazzella
G
G
Roda
A
A
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
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid