Hepatic apolipoprotein A-I gene expression in patients with cholesterol gallstones treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that apo A-I can inhibit cholesterol crystal nucleation in vitro, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with cholesterol gallstones the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of UDCA on the steady-state levels (SSL) of apo A-I mRNA in the liver, as well as serum apo A-I, in patients with cholesterol gallstones.


METHODS
Twenty Mexican patients with symptomatic radiolucent gallstones were randomized and assigned in a double blind fashion to groups that were administered either UDCA (4 mg/kg per day) or placebo for 10 to 15 days before cholecystectomy. Apo A- I mRNA levels in liver and gallbladder tissues were determined by northern blot and serum levels of apo A- I by turbidimetric method.


METHODS
Apo A- I mRNA levels were higher in nine of the 10 patients who received UDCA and in comparison to those to the placebo group. In the gallbladder apo A- I mRNA levels were undetected. Serum levels (mg/dL) of apo A- I were similar in both UDCA and placebo groups after treatment (111.7 +/- 29.8 vs 115.6 +/- 25.4).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study shown that apo A- I mRNA gene express at the mRNA level in the liver but not in the gallbladder of patients with cholesterol gallstones treated with UDCA.
Méndez-Sánchez
Nahum
N
Department of Biomedical Research and Liver Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico. nmendez@medicasur.org.mx
Panduro
Arturo
A
Murguía
Daniel
D
Rincón
Ana R
AR
Uribe
Misael
M
D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid