The cholesterol/dry weight ratio: a simple substitute for lithogenic index.
The limiting solubility of cholesterol in bile has been defined by several lithogenic indices which all require determination of phospholipids, cholesterol, and bile salt concentrations. These technically demanding assays are not widely available and restrict general application of lithogenic index studies while the indices in use do not accommodate differences in water content of bile. Consequently, a simple index that requires only measurement of biliary cholesterol concentration and bile dry weight has been assessed by comparison with a commonly used lithogenic index. This simple index correlates well with the conventional sophisticated lithogenic index and is not influenced by use of bile obtained by direct aspiration or by duodenal drainage. Similarly, division into patient groups based on various clinical parameters does not influence the correlation. This simple index will allow routine laboratories to assess bile lithogenicity.
D001646:Bile / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000209:etiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications
D002784:Cholesterol