title: In vitro study comparing the ability of mono-octanoin and mono-octanoin plus methyl tert-butyl ether to dissolve biliary stones.
abstract: This in vitro study compared the gallstone dissolution rates of mono-octanoin, mono-octanoin plus 10% distilled water, and mono-octanoin plus methyl tert-butyl ether 2:1. Sixteen stones were treated with each solvent at a slow perfusion rate of 3-4 ml/h and a rapid perfusion rate of 2.5 ml/30 min with 20-sec instillation/aspiration cycles, both with and without bile. The stones were weighed before, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 hrs after the start of treatment: the solvent was changed every 30 min. After 24 hrs of instillation/aspiration without bile, the mono-octanoin/methyl tert-butyl ether mixture reduced the weight of the stones by 93%, mono-octanoin plus water by 63%, and mono-octanoin alone by 52%; with bile, the figures were, respectively, 86%, 42% and 40%. The mono-octanoin/methyl tert-butyl ether mixture thus took approximately half the time needed by the other two preparations to dissolve the stones to the same extent, a finding which may be relevant for the clinical dissolution of bile duct stones.
authors: Cattedra di Chirurgia dell'Apparato Digerente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Tritapepe
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Cesana
mesh_terms: D002210:Caprylates; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000628:therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005989:Glycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002210:Caprylates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005989:Glycerides; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D012997:Solvents; C043243:methyl tert-butyl ether; C025343:monooctanoin