[The expression of calponin in Oddi's sphincters and its actions during gallstone formation].
OBJECTIVE
To study on the expression of calponin in an animal model of gallstone disease and investigate the molecular mechanisms of gallstone formation.


METHODS
After feeding a high-cholesterol diet to guinea pigs, Oddi's sphincters were disseced on day 30 and day 60 respectively. We used RT-PCR, western-blotting to evaluate expression level of calponin gene.


RESULTS
Down-regulation of calponin gene expression was observed in animals with gallstone. The levels of both protein and mRNA expression for calponin on day 30 and day 60 were lower than those of control group with the level from day 60 lower than that from day 60, while myosin expressions were relatively stable.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that the decrease of calponin could increase the pressure of sphincter of Oddi, aggravate the stasis of bile and promote the gallstone formation.
Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan.
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Cao
D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000378:metabolism*; D000096985:Calponins
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000096985:Calponins