title: The effect of dihydroxydibutylether on bile lipid composition in patients with gallstones.
abstract: Dihydroxydibutylether (DHBE, 900 mg/day, in divided doses) was given to 13 patients with radiolucent gallstones. Bile lipid composition and bile saturation were studied before treatment and after 1 and 2 months of therapy. Bile was collected by duodenal intubation (after cerulein-induced gallbladder contraction) in each patient, and biliary lipids were estimated with standard laboratory techniques. The results of this study showed that DHBE treatment was associated with a significant (p less than 0.01) reduction of bile saturation with cholesterol (saturation index: 1.37 +/- 0.39 before treatment, 1.14 +/- 0.35 after 1 month, and 1.08 +/- 0.29 after 2 months). The possible mechanism of this effect and the clinical relevance are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001646:Bile / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004987:Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D004987:Ethers; D008055:Lipids; C000987:4,4'-oxydi-2-butanol