Fasting gall bladder volume and lithogenicity in relation to glucose tolerance, total and intra-abdominal fat masses in obese non-diabetic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether total body fat mass or fat distribution and associated metabolic disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism influence the well known gallstone pathogenetic factors in obese subjects in order to explain why some obese subjects develop gallstones and some do not.


METHODS
Cross sectional study of gallstone pathogenetic factors, body composition, fat distribution, glucose and lipid metabolism.


METHODS
57 healthy overweight subjects (aged 26-64y, body mass index (BMI) 30-45 kg/m2).


METHODS
Total and intra-abdominal fat masses were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal CT scanning, respectively. The lithogenic index was measured in aspirated bile. The gallbladder volume was determined by ultrasound and the gallbladder ejection fraction% by dynamic cholescintigraphy. Plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations during a meal were measured with a specific radioimmunoassay. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the Minimal Model and glucose tolerance by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum lipid concentrations were measured by standard methods.


RESULTS
The gallbladder volume in the fasting state increased with increasing intra-abdominal fat mass (P=0.006) and was increased in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (41 vs 27 ml, P=0.001). The lithogenic index was > 1 in all subjects and correlated with total fat mass (P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Gallstone pathogenesis in obesity seems to be influenced by the total body fat mass and its regional distribution possibly via mutual association with the glucose tolerance.
Hendel
H W
HW
Department of Clinical Physiology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Højgaard
L
L
Andersen
T
T
Pedersen
B H
BH
Paloheimo
L I
LI
Rehfeld
J F
JF
Gotfredsen
A
A
Rasmussen
M H
MH
D000005:Abdomen; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000097:blood; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D002766:Cholecystokinin